Premise: At her best friend's wedding, ERA CHOI meets KWON SOONYOUNGâa loud, dramatic lawyer who's her best friend's soon-to-be husband JEON WONWOO's friend and whoâs nothing like her type. She swears sheâd never fall for someone like him⊠but fate clearly had other plans.
Inspired by Hoshi's STAY and Kim Se-jeong's LOVE, MAYBE
Genre: Rom-Com, Slice of Life, Slow burn, Fluff, Enemies-to-friends-to-lover.
Chapters -
Chapter 0ne : Bridal Blues & Balloon Fiascos
Chapter two: Definitely, Absolutely, 100% Not My Type
Summary: Two brothers, born of legend, could weave dreams to soothe the weary. Known as the Dream Walkers, they were myths whispered in the night. Until the elder, consumed by loss, turned dreams into cages, seeking love in strangersâ hearts.His younger brother must stop him before the city itself drowns in nightmares, while mortals scramble to confront a killer of memories. Meanwhile mortals form a task force to halt a nightmare sweeping the city!
[A/n:- As you can see this is heavily based on THIS MAN album's Last Night song and the audiobook. But not entirely!]
PRESENT DAY â SEOUL, 2:17 A.M.
The streets of Seoul were never completely silent, but tonight carried a different kind of quietâa fearful one.
Neon lights flickered against rain-soaked pavement, casting long, nervous shadows. People hurried home, glancing at their phones every few seconds.
The news hadnât stopped for weeks.
A reporterâs voice crackled from a passing taxi radio:
Another civilian collapsed while waiting
for the bus. Medical teams say the victim fell
asleep with a smile. Authorities are calling
him the DREAM PHANTOM!!
IS SEOUL SAFE ANYMORE?
Cameras flashed. Sirens wailed. The city didnât sleepâbecause if you slept, he could find you.
And once he didâŠyou lived a memory so sweet, so warm, so perfectâŠthat you never wanted to wake up again.
SEOUL METROPOLITAN POLICE â TF UNIT HEADQUARTERS
The large LCD screen in the briefing room replayed CCTV footage from earlier that night. A woman at a convenience store counter suddenly froze mid-sentence, smiling softly before collapsing on the floor.
Seungcheol slammed a folder onto the desk.
The entire TF team flinched.
"THATâS THE 83RD CASE THIS MONTH!" he shouted.
The room fell silent.
Four months ago, when Seoul first trembled under the strange wave of dream-related incidents, the government authorized the creation of a covert elite unitâTask Force 0. At its helm stood Commander Choi Seungcheol, 17923rd Battalion leader, a man in 30s known in classified circles as Ghosthound. Four years spent deep inside North Korea as an undercover operative had carved him into a weapon of precision; he single-handedly dismantled an enemy intelligence base and walked out without leaving a single identifiable trace. He was the kind of man who didnât chase ordersâorders chased him.
"People are collapsing in the middle of the day, Woozi muttered, scrolling through his tablet. "All brain scans show identical abnormalities. The same signature⊠meaning the same person did this."
Lee Jihoon also known as Woozi once worked at Koreaâs top Lucid Border Research Facility, a place where scientists studied where dreams end and consciousness begins. He was the youngest lead researcher ever. He authored a classified thesis: "If someone can enter one dream, they can enter all." It was dismissed as impossible. Now? The identical abnormalities in every victimâs brain are the exact phenomenon he predictedâa dreamwalker hopping from mind to mind.
"A person who can enter dreams. That's bullshit!"Joshua added quietly, adjusting his glasses. "You're telling me weâre not dealing with hypnosis or gas. Someone is actively pulling civilians into a dream state."
Joshua Hong, the quiet intelligence tactician from the National Security Planning Unit, who once cracked an international cyber-terrorism ring with nothing but four hours of CCTV footage and a cup of lukewarm coffee! He also can't see the way out in this case.
Mingyu crossed his arms and leaned back.
"So this Dream Phantom guy is basically a walking sleep virus?"
It didnât make sense to him. Kim Mingyu was used to leading clean, physical operationsâraids on enemy bases, emergency extractions, the volunteer mission in Sudan he survived by pure grit. Tangible threats. Tangible targets. But this? A criminal who attacked people in their dreams felt like fighting smoke.
Mingyu clicked his tongue. "Perfect. A mission I canât solve with a gun."
Xu Minghao, the teamâs psychological profiler, whose reports were so precise that criminals often confessed just from reading them, shook his head slowly.
"No ," he said, voice calm but firm. "Viruses arenât deliberate. This⊠this is intentional."
He had solved a top-tier case in Hong Kong, dismantling a sophisticated criminal network that had eluded authorities for yearsâall by predicting behavior patterns no one else noticed. If he said this was calculated, the team knew it wasnât a fluke.
Seungkwan scoffed, leaning back in his chair. "You mean that creepy myth about some dream-walker messing with peopleâs memories? Thatâs real now?"
He wasnât new to danger. Heâd negotiated hostage crises in Busan, intercepted international cybercrime signals before anyone else even knew they existed, and coordinated high-risk operations where a single mistake meant death. Yet this⊠this was different. Something intangible. Something that didnât follow the rules he knew.
"Look at the footage," Hoshi whispered, pointing at the screen. "Every victim smiles. Theyâre seeing something good. Something they once lost."
Kwon Soonyoungâknown in both military and intelligence circles as Hoshi, the nationâs most unpredictable strategy analystâleaned closer. Twice expelled for excessive initiative, twice reinstated because his instincts had saved lives that no one else could, he had learned to trust patterns others couldnât see. And right now, his gut screamed: this wasnât random.
âHappy moments,â Dokyeom said. âHe shows them a moment they miss so much they donât want to come back.â
DK wasnât flashy, but he was preciseâthe teamâs top negotiator and profiler. Years of reading people in crisis had trained him to spot patterns, and right now, he could tell: this wasnât a random attack.
Chan swallowed hard, "So⊠is he hurting them?"
The newest member who just joined the tf team this month right after he joined the Intelligence & Investigation Department. Seungcheol said he saw something in him to let him join!
Joshua exhaled. "Theyâre trapped. Their consciousness is stuck inside their happiest memory. If we donât wake them up, their brains shut down one by one."
Heewon finally spoke.
"So heâs killing them with nostalgia?"
Everyone turned to her.
She was one of the Interpolâs most elite operatives. When the South Korean Government requested the best officers for the newly formed TF0, Heewon had already been in the middle of a high-stakes missionâher third in the last three monthsâto bring down a clandestine mental asylum notorious for inhumane human experiments. The asylum had treated her like a lab animal, pushing the limits of endurance and sanity, but she had survived and brought down the researchers. She had returned to Korea only yesterday, after twelve long years abroad.
She sat calmly, fingers laced, eyes sharp.
Woozi nodded. "Exactly. Heâs using dreams as bait."
By his side, Vernon moved with a quiet alertness, an experienced field agent and Heewonâs designated partner. He had been assigned as her shadow for the mission, not out of doubt, but because their skills complemented each other perfectlyâher sharp instincts, his calm precision. His gaze flicked from Heewon to the footage, reading the subtle changes in the victimsâ expressions.
Vernon said, his hand resting near his sidearm, but his eyes never left the screen. âIâve seen criminals try to manipulate perception before,â he murmured, âbut this⊠this is on another level. If we donât understand his method, the city will keep paying the price.â
Summary: Two brothers, born of legend, could weave dreams to soothe the weary. Known as the Dream Walkers, they were myths whispered in the night. Until the elder, consumed by loss, turned dreams into cages, seeking love in strangersâ hearts.His younger brother must stop him before the city itself drowns in nightmares, while mortals scramble to confront a killer of memories. Meanwhile mortals form a task force to halt a nightmare sweeping the city!
[A/n:- As you can see this is heavily based on THIS MAN album's Last Night song and the audiobook. But not entirely!]
PRESENT DAY â SEOUL, 2:17 A.M.
The streets of Seoul were never completely silent, but tonight carried a different kind of quietâa fearful one.
Neon lights flickered against rain-soaked pavement, casting long, nervous shadows. People hurried home, glancing at their phones every few seconds.
The news hadnât stopped for weeks.
A reporterâs voice crackled from a passing taxi radio:
Another civilian collapsed while waiting
for the bus. Medical teams say the victim fell
asleep with a smile. Authorities are calling
him the DREAM PHANTOM!!
IS SEOUL SAFE ANYMORE?
Cameras flashed. Sirens wailed. The city didnât sleepâbecause if you slept, he could find you.
And once he didâŠyou lived a memory so sweet, so warm, so perfectâŠthat you never wanted to wake up again.
SEOUL METROPOLITAN POLICE â TF UNIT HEADQUARTERS
The large LCD screen in the briefing room replayed CCTV footage from earlier that night. A woman at a convenience store counter suddenly froze mid-sentence, smiling softly before collapsing on the floor.
Seungcheol slammed a folder onto the desk.
The entire TF team flinched.
"THATâS THE 83RD CASE THIS MONTH!" he shouted.
The room fell silent.
Four months ago, when Seoul first trembled under the strange wave of dream-related incidents, the government authorized the creation of a covert elite unitâTask Force 0. At its helm stood Commander Choi Seungcheol, 17923rd Battalion leader, a man in 30s known in classified circles as Ghosthound. Four years spent deep inside North Korea as an undercover operative had carved him into a weapon of precision; he single-handedly dismantled an enemy intelligence base and walked out without leaving a single identifiable trace. He was the kind of man who didnât chase ordersâorders chased him.
"People are collapsing in the middle of the day, Woozi muttered, scrolling through his tablet. "All brain scans show identical abnormalities. The same signature⊠meaning the same person did this."
Lee Jihoon also known as Woozi once worked at Koreaâs top Lucid Border Research Facility, a place where scientists studied where dreams end and consciousness begins. He was the youngest lead researcher ever. He authored a classified thesis: "If someone can enter one dream, they can enter all." It was dismissed as impossible. Now? The identical abnormalities in every victimâs brain are the exact phenomenon he predictedâa dreamwalker hopping from mind to mind.
"A person who can enter dreams. That's bullshit!"Joshua added quietly, adjusting his glasses. "You're telling me weâre not dealing with hypnosis or gas. Someone is actively pulling civilians into a dream state."
Joshua Hong, the quiet intelligence tactician from the National Security Planning Unit, who once cracked an international cyber-terrorism ring with nothing but four hours of CCTV footage and a cup of lukewarm coffee! He also can't see the way out in this case.
Mingyu crossed his arms and leaned back.
"So this Dream Phantom guy is basically a walking sleep virus?"
It didnât make sense to him. Kim Mingyu was used to leading clean, physical operationsâraids on enemy bases, emergency extractions, the volunteer mission in Sudan he survived by pure grit. Tangible threats. Tangible targets. But this? A criminal who attacked people in their dreams felt like fighting smoke.
Mingyu clicked his tongue. "Perfect. A mission I canât solve with a gun."
Xu Minghao, the teamâs psychological profiler, whose reports were so precise that criminals often confessed just from reading them, shook his head slowly.
"No ," he said, voice calm but firm. "Viruses arenât deliberate. This⊠this is intentional."
He had solved a top-tier case in Hong Kong, dismantling a sophisticated criminal network that had eluded authorities for yearsâall by predicting behavior patterns no one else noticed. If he said this was calculated, the team knew it wasnât a fluke.
Seungkwan scoffed, leaning back in his chair. "You mean that creepy myth about some dream-walker messing with peopleâs memories? Thatâs real now?"
He wasnât new to danger. Heâd negotiated hostage crises in Busan, intercepted international cybercrime signals before anyone else even knew they existed, and coordinated high-risk operations where a single mistake meant death. Yet this⊠this was different. Something intangible. Something that didnât follow the rules he knew.
"Look at the footage," Hoshi whispered, pointing at the screen. "Every victim smiles. Theyâre seeing something good. Something they once lost."
Kwon Soonyoungâknown in both military and intelligence circles as Hoshi, the nationâs most unpredictable strategy analystâleaned closer. Twice expelled for excessive initiative, twice reinstated because his instincts had saved lives that no one else could, he had learned to trust patterns others couldnât see. And right now, his gut screamed: this wasnât random.
âHappy moments,â Dokyeom said. âHe shows them a moment they miss so much they donât want to come back.â
DK wasnât flashy, but he was preciseâthe teamâs top negotiator and profiler. Years of reading people in crisis had trained him to spot patterns, and right now, he could tell: this wasnât a random attack.
Chan swallowed hard, "So⊠is he hurting them?"
The newest member who just joined the tf team this month right after he joined the Intelligence & Investigation Department. Seungcheol said he saw something in him to let him join!
Joshua exhaled. "Theyâre trapped. Their consciousness is stuck inside their happiest memory. If we donât wake them up, their brains shut down one by one."
Heewon finally spoke.
"So heâs killing them with nostalgia?"
Everyone turned to her.
She was one of the Interpolâs most elite operatives. When the South Korean Government requested the best officers for the newly formed TF0, Heewon had already been in the middle of a high-stakes missionâher third in the last three monthsâto bring down a clandestine mental asylum notorious for inhumane human experiments. The asylum had treated her like a lab animal, pushing the limits of endurance and sanity, but she had survived and brought down the researchers. She had returned to Korea only yesterday, after twelve long years abroad.
She sat calmly, fingers laced, eyes sharp.
Woozi nodded. "Exactly. Heâs using dreams as bait."
By his side, Vernon moved with a quiet alertness, an experienced field agent and Heewonâs designated partner. He had been assigned as her shadow for the mission, not out of doubt, but because their skills complemented each other perfectlyâher sharp instincts, his calm precision. His gaze flicked from Heewon to the footage, reading the subtle changes in the victimsâ expressions.
Vernon said, his hand resting near his sidearm, but his eyes never left the screen. âIâve seen criminals try to manipulate perception before,â he murmured, âbut this⊠this is on another level. If we donât understand his method, the city will keep paying the price.â
Premise: At her best friend's wedding, ERA CHOI meets KWON SOONYOUNGâa loud, dramatic lawyer who's her best friend's soon-to-be husband JEON WONWOO's friend and whoâs nothing like her type. She swears sheâd never fall for someone like him⊠but fate clearly had other plans.
Inspired by Hoshi's STAY and Kim Se-jeong's LOVE,MAYBE.
Epilogue
Saturday mornings in our home were a mix of chaos and laughterâexactly the life Iâd imagined with him.
âKwon Junho! Give your sister back her plush rabbit right now!â Junho, in his dinosaur onesie, zipped past me with a triumphant squeal. âItâs a hostage, eomma! Iâm the evil lawyer now!â
From the kitchen, a familiar, amused voice chimed in. âDonât worry, your appa is here to defend the innocent.â
I turned just in time to see Hoshiânow officially Attorney Kwon Soonyoung, Partner at one of Seoulâs top law firmsâstride in dramatically in his sweatpants and glasses, coffee in one hand, fake courtroom seriousness in his voice.
âArin,â he said, squatting to our daughterâs level, âIâll represent you. This crime against plush rabbits will not go unpunished.â
Arin sniffled (more for drama than emotion), then looked up at him with wide eyes. âYouâll win, right appa?â He placed a hand on his chest. âIâve never lost a caseâespecially not one for my favorite girl.â
I rolled my eyes, leaning against the doorway with a smile. âExcuse me? Your favorite girl?â
âYouâre the love of my life. Thatâs above favoritism,â he said smoothly, making me blush like it was our second date again.
Our twins had grown into tiny whirlwinds of energy, cleverness, and charismaâjust like their father. Junho had a flair for debate already. Arin? A little attorney in the making. Or maybe an actress. Or president.
Later that evening, after putting the kids to bed, I sat with Hoshi on the balcony, wrapped in one of his oversized sweaters.
â7 years ago,â I murmured, âI didnât even know if weâd last 7 days.â
He chuckled, wrapping his arms around me from behind. âYou thought I was dramatic.â
âYou are dramatic.â
âBut Iâm yours,â he said into my hair, and my heart did that little flutter thing it always did with him.We looked out over the Seoul skyline, lights blinking like stars.
âOh, by the way,â he said, pulling something from his sweater pocket. âYou left this in my briefcase.â
It was a crayon drawing: stick figures of us and the twins, Junho with a cape and Arin with a tiny gavel. Over the top was scrawled in uneven handwriting: âAppa wins every time.â
I stared at it, my chest full. âThey really love you.â
âI love all three of you more than anything,â he whispered. âYou're my biggest case win.â
âThe end
a/n:- Hope you guys enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing!!
Premise: At her best friend's wedding, ERA CHOI meets KWON SOONYOUNGâa loud, dramatic lawyer who's her best friend's soon-to-be husband JEON WONWOO's friend and whoâs nothing like her type. She swears sheâd never fall for someone like him⊠but fate clearly had other plans.
Inspired by Hoshi's STAY and Kim Se-jeong's LOVE, MAYBE
Genre: Rom-Com, Slice of Life, Slow burn, Fluff, Enemies-to-friends-to-lover.
(a/n:- I don't claim the pictures. taken from Pinterest)
Chapter 13
Just married ...
Four years have passed since I walked into Kwon Soonyoungâs life like a whirlwind, and somehow, he managed to out-dramatic even my chaos. And now, here we areâjust one month away from our wedding.
Wonwoo and Elaâs little daughter, Hana, is running around the living room in her pastel pink dress. Sheâs the flower girl. Our flower girl. She looks like a tiny fairy straight out of a dream, spinning in circles, squealing, âAunty Eraaa! I wanna throw more flowers!â
âNot yet, my baby,â I say, scooping her up as she giggles. âSave some of those for the aisle, okay?â
She giggles again, curling up in my arms, and in that moment, it hits me. Everything. From the day I fell asleep scared of a horror movie in Hoshiâs apartment to thisâplanning my wedding, surrounded by people I love, with the man I adore over the moon with excitement.
And speaking of SoonyoungâŠ
He barges into the room wearing a customized t-shirt that says Groomzilla in sparkly letters. Of course.
âEraaaaa! We still need to finalize the cake design and make sure everything is done!â he exclaims dramatically. âAlso, did you see the new guestbook I ordered? It has glitter on the spine! GLITTER.â
I raise a brow. âYou are not seriously obsessing over the glitter spine when you still havenât picked your wedding vows?â
âIâm working on them!â he gasps, offended. âYou try compressing four years of legendary romance into one page!â
The living room erupts in laughter. Ela walks in holding a juice box for Hana. Wonwoo follows behind her, holding a wedding planning binder like heâs Eraâs manager. âYou need help. Clearly,â he mutters, handing the binder to Hoshi.
Jun is on FaceTime with Alfa, whoâs choosing her bridesmaid dress from a boutique in Tokyo. âShe wants lilac,â Jun mouths to me. âBut Minghao already called dibs on lilac for his inner suit lining.â
Mingyu pops his head in, sunglasses still on. âAre we still doing those slow-motion entries at the reception? I need to practice my walk.â
Jeonghan, whoâs lounging dramatically on the sofa with Seungcheol and Joshua, pipes up, âPlease tell me Iâm sitting far away from Seungcheol. He chews loudly.â Seungcheol scoffs. âIâm the general manager. I get front row.â
âFront row to my wedding, not a business meeting!â I roll my eyes, but my heart is full.
Seungkwan, Vernon, and Dino walk in with bubble teas and snacks. âWe brought reinforcements,â Seungkwan says, tossing a drink at Hoshi. âYouâre getting worse than a pregnant bride.â
âHEY,â Hoshi says, catching it with one hand. âIâm a visionary. Iâm planning the best day of our lives!â
I watch him with soft eyes. My dramatic, chaotic, sunshine-of-a-man. The same guy who stayed up with me all night in the creepy guest room. The man who held me every night for four years like it was the last. Who made mundane things like grocery shopping feel like a date. Who chased me across cities just to explain a lipstick stain.
Now heâs pacing in the middle of the living room, reciting possible vows out loud. âEra, from the moment you stole my blanket during that horror movie... I knew I was doomed.â
I laugh so hard I nearly drop Hana. Wonwoo takes her and lets her play with a small bouquet. Ela slides next to me and says, âAre you ready?â
I smile, looking around the room at our chaotic family. âYeah. I think Iâve been ready since the day I snuggled into his chest.â
From across the room, Hoshi catches my eyes and mouths, I love you.
And in exactly one month, Iâll be saying I do.
The morning of my wedding began not with calm piano music or the scent of flowersâbut with Seungkwan shrieking over a misplaced boutonniere.
"WHO MOVED THE PEACH BLOOMS? I SWEAR THEY WERE IN THE VASE NEAR THE WINDOW!"
"It's not that deep, Kwannie," Jeonghan said from the sofa, sipping tea like he was at a spa. "Theyâre just flowers."
"JUST FLOWERS?!" Seungkwan clutched his chest like someone had insulted his entire existence. âThey matched Hoshi hyungâs pocket square!â
Meanwhile, Hoshi was missing.
Not literallyâbut emotionally, spiritually, dramatically missing from the bridal prep chaos. Word was, he was already at the venue early, "talking to the stars" and rehearsing his vows one last time. Knowing him, he probably even cried.
I sat in the bridal suite, surrounded by the softest white and lavender hues. My dress hung behind me like a dreamâlayers of satin and lace that sparkled every time the light hit it. Ela, my maid of honor, was fixing my hair with expert fingers while Alfa arranged my earrings.
"Can you believe this is happening?" I whispered.
Ela smiled at me through the mirror. "Iâve believed since day one. You, on the other hand, took a horror movie and three weeks of roommate privilege to figure it out."
"Shut up," I laughed.
Alfa leaned over and said softly, "Heâs loved you out loud every single day since."
I smiled, blinking back happy tears.
---
At the Venue
The wedding venue was an outdoor garden nestled on a hill, draped with wisteria, fairy lights, and lilac accentsâexactly how Hoshi had imagined it. Strings of lights twinkled above, and the aisle was lined with white and peach roses.
The guests were mostly friends, family, andâwellâthe boys. Which basically meant chaos in coordinated suits.
Mingyu kept adjusting his tie and trying to fix his reflection on every shiny surface. âIs my jawline popping enough for the pictures?â
Joshua, charming as ever, shook his head. âThis isnât your wedding.â
âYeah, but still. Iâm in the pictures.â
Wonwoo stood quietly with Ela and their daughter Hana, who wore her flower girl crown like a princess and refused to let go of the petals. "She wants to throw them all now," he whispered.
Soonyoungâs parents were sitting in the front row, next to mine. My mom was already cryingâand my dad? My dad kept passing tissues to her while glaring at San, my dramatic brother, who was pointing at Hoshi and mouthing "He better treat her right!"
The music beganâsoft, orchestral, and dreamy.
Chan escorted Hana down the aisle while she sprinkled flowers like confetti, pausing every few steps to smile and wave. Everyone chuckled warmly. Behind them, Alfa and Ela walked in as bridesmaids, dressed in lilac gowns.
Then the groomsmen came: Seungkwan, Vernon, Mingyu, Jun, Joshua, Seungcheol, Woozi, and Jeonghanâeach looking too good for their own good.
Then⊠the music shifted.
Hoshi stepped forward, and time slowed down.
He was wearing a cream-colored tux with lilac accents, hair brushed back, eyes already glossy. He looked like a prince. My prince.
And then I walked down the aisle.
I could hear my heartbeat in my ears, feel the wind brushing the veil, and see his faceâabsolutely awestruck. Like the stars he loved so much had aligned for this very moment.
âYou lookâŠâ Hoshi choked, taking my hand, â...like a miracle.â
The ceremony was heartfelt.
Soonyoungâs vows were dramatic (of course), but full of soul.
âI used to think I needed big criminal, loud courtroom, and objections my lord to feel alive. But Era⊠just waking up next to youâyour sleepy voice, your weird morning hair, your little notes in my lunch boxâthatâs the only stage I need now.â
He sniffled. âYou are the reason my heart I abruptly laugh at the courtroom every single day.â
I could barely speak mine through the tears.
âYouâre everything I didnât know I needed. You were comfort in chaos, warmth in fear, and the most unexpected kind of love. Youâre my safety net and my biggest adventure.â
We exchanged rings.
Jeonghan winked from the front row when I slipped the ring on.
âBy the power vested in me,â the officiant said with a twinkle, âI now pronounce you husband and wife.â
âYou may now kiââ
Hoshi didnât wait.
He kissed me like we had all the time in the world. Like heâd been waiting since forever. Like the universe had finally handed him what heâd been wishing on stars for.
The Reception
The reception was pure madness.
Jeonghan gave a speech that started sincere and ended in mild roasting.
Seungcheol danced with my mom. Minghao taught my dad to do TikTok moves. Jun flirted with the catering staff. Mingyu somehow got icing on his tie and his phone. Woozi performed a piano piece he "definitely didnât spend three weeks perfecting." It was Simple.
And Hoshi?
Hoshi danced with me under fairy lights, barefoot and carefree, whispering, âYouâre my best verdict.â
By the end of the night, we were surrounded by laughter, the soft scent of cake, flower petals in our hair, and the echo of all the love we had created together.
And as we drove away in a car that said JUST MARRIEDâthanks to Seungkwan's very glittery signageâI held Hoshiâs hand, resting my head on his shoulder.
"Mrs. Kwon," he said, eyes closed, smile playing on his lips, "I think we just wrote the most beautiful love story."
Premise: At her best friend's wedding, ERA CHOI meets KWON SOONYOUNGâa loud, dramatic lawyer who's her best friend's soon-to-be husband JEON WONWOO's friend and whoâs nothing like her type. She swears sheâd never fall for someone like him⊠but fate clearly had other plans.
Inspired by Hoshi's STAY and Kim Se-jeong's LOVE, MAYBE
Genre: Rom-Com, Slice of Life, Slow burn, Fluff, Enemies-to-friends-to-lover.
Previous<<
Next>>
Chapter Twelve
If it's Soonyoung, then it's Soonyoung
The morning light filtered through the thin curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. I woke up to the soft rustle of movement beside me, and there he wasâHoshi, already dressed and preparing to leave, his expression, though composed, had a certain sadness to it, mirroring my own.
He turned to me, his eyes soft and warm. "I have to go. Work calls." His voice was quiet, almost as if he was reluctant to say it aloud, like he didnât want to make the departure any more real than it already was. But we both knew he had responsibilities to handle, the case that had caused all the misunderstandings in the first place, the reason he had to be here, and now the reason he had to leave.
I sat up, feeling the weight of his departure settle into my chest. "I know," I murmured, but the words felt inadequate, like they couldnât fully convey how I felt. There was a lump in my throat, and I fought to keep my composure.
Hoshi seemed to notice, though. He stepped closer, crouching down in front of me as if he needed to be near me for a moment longer, just to make sure everything was okay. He reached for my hand, his fingers warm and familiar. "I'll miss you," he said softly, the sincerity in his voice causing my heart to ache even more. His eyes were full of emotion, those familiar eyes that had seen me at my best and worst, now filled with something so gentle, so caring.
I swallowed hard, my gaze dropping to our intertwined hands, trying to steady myself. "I'll miss you too," I whispered back, my voice a little shaky. The truth was, I wasnât ready to let him go. Not yet. Not after everything weâd just figured out, not after the distance that had been between us, the misunderstandings that had clouded everything. I wanted more time with himâtime to just exist together without any complications, without any looming responsibilities.
Hoshi smiled, that playful, charming smile that Iâd come to love so much. "Guess Iâll have to crash in Busan now and then, without any plans," he said, his voice light, though I could see the deeper meaning behind his words. It was as if he was trying to make light of the situation, to keep the mood a little easier, but I could feel the weight of it allâthe fact that he was leaving, and that things were still uncertain, even if we had figured out so much already.
Before I could respond, before I could process how much I wanted him to stay, he leaned in. His lips brushed against mine gently, tenderly, as if he was imprinting that moment into my memory. I froze at first, caught off guard by the suddenness of it, but then I kissed him back, feeling everything I had been holding back, all the emotions and the longing, flood through me in that one kiss.
I pulled away just as quickly, breathing heavily. The air between us felt charged, filled with unspoken words, but I didnât get a chance to say anything beforeâ
"Era!"
I stiffened, and Hoshi broke the kiss, his eyes wide with surprise. My heart sank as I heard the familiar voice of my brother, San, from the doorway. He was standing there, his eyes wide in disbelief, his mouth slightly agape as he took in the scene in front of him.
"Youâve got to be kidding me," he muttered under his breath, as he looked back and forth between me and Hoshi. "Am I interrupting something here?"
I quickly jumped out of bed, pulling the blanket around me like a shield. "San! What are you doing here?" I could feel the heat rise to my cheeks, and I was pretty sure I was blushing like mad. Why did he have to show up now of all times?
Hoshi, ever the composed one, straightened up and cleared his throat. "I was just leaving," he said smoothly, though there was a hint of awkwardness in his tone. He gave me one last look, the kind that made my heart race, and said, "Iâll see you soon."
"Yeah, see you soon," I whispered back, trying to sound calm, though I felt anything but calm inside.
San, however, wasnât having it. "Donât you dare think youâre leaving without explaining whatâs going on here," he said, his eyes narrowing at Hoshi with a playful smirk.
Hoshi laughed nervously, clearly uncomfortable with Sanâs teasing. "Iâm just leaving," he said again, "But itâs nice to meet you, man." He gave a quick nod to San before walking past him and heading toward the door.
I stood there, watching him go, my heart still pounding from the kiss, from the emotions running high. But just as Hoshi was about to step out, he turned back to me one last time, giving me a look that made everything else fade into the background. "Iâll miss you," he said quietly, and then, without waiting for a response, he was gone, the door closing softly behind him.
I let out a shaky breath and turned to face San, who was still standing in the doorway, a grin plastered on his face. "I canât believe you just let him kiss you," he said, his voice laced with amusement. "And here I thought I was going to have to give him a lecture."
"San," I groaned, feeling embarrassed but also strangely content. "Can you just go away already?"
He laughed, clearly enjoying the discomfort he was causing me. "Iâll leave you to it," he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "But donât think I didnât notice that. Iâll be expecting a full explanation when youâre ready."
As he left, I stood there, my thoughts racing. I had just kissed Hoshiâagainâand now he was gone. But even though he was leaving, the memory of that kiss, and the promise that he would be back, stayed with me.
And somehow, that was enough
Ela and Wonwoo finally returned from their honeymoon, glowing and all lovey-dovey like the world revolved around them. Honestly, it kinda did. They had this post-wedding aura, like theyâd just stepped out of a romantic drama and decided to grace us normal people with their presence.
And what was the first thing they decided to do after landing?
Throw a full-on mini reunion.
Twelve boys. Me. AlfaâJunâs girlfriend (and practically my soulmate in crime). And apparently⊠Chan also got himself a girlfriend while the rest of us were busy figuring out life. The kid grew up fast.
The gathering was at Wonwooâs placeâbig enough to host a small army, honestly. The living room turned into a loud mix of laughter, teasing, and chaotic conversations bouncing from one corner to another.
As soon as everyone settled in, drinks in hand, plates full of food, Kwon Soonyoung decided it was time. His moment.
He stood up dramatically in the center of the room, raising his glass like some award-winning actor accepting an Oscar.
"Ahem! Ladies, gentlemen, and Jeonghan-hyungâwho I swear has been trying to look into my soul since I walked in," Hoshi began, pausing for dramatic effect.
Everyone turned toward him.
"I have an announcement to make." His voice dropped slightly deeper. "An update, actually. Something Iâve been meaning to share with my beloved brothers and their beautiful chaos."
I could feel my face heating up. I mouthed don't you dare, and he dared.
"Era and I," he said, eyes twinkling, "are dating. Officially. Exclusively. Romantically. Epically. Historically. BasicallyâI won."
The room exploded.
Junâs jaw dropped. Alfa clapped with excitement. Chan choked on his drink. Seungkwan literally screamed, âWHAT?â
Wonwoo leaned on Ela's shoulder with the most smug look ever, whispering, âI told you there was something going on.â
âHOW DID THIS HAPPEN?!â came from at least six different directions.
ââHOW?!â Seungkwan stood up, looking like someone just revealed the plot twist of a thriller movie.
âYou two? Together?â Junâs voice cracked mid-sentence as he looked between us.
Jeonghan tilted his head, eyes narrowing like a cat spotting something suspicious. âYouâve been hiding this? From me?â
âOkay but when? HOW?!â Seokmin gasped dramatically, nearly spilling his drink. âWe didnât even get a vibe! Not even a suspicious glance. You guys hated each other at the wedding! Remember that, right?!â
Soonyoung just leaned back with a lazy smirk. âPeople change.â
Joshua, ever the calm one, sipped his drink, glancing at me with raised eyebrows. â1 month ago, you said you were going on a solo vacation. That wasnât⊠a lie?â
I gave Hoshi a sharp glare. âI knew this was a bad idea.â
Mingyu, who had been sipping his juice and watching the chaos like it was his favorite variety show, finally spoke up with a shrug. âI mean, I knew.â
âI live in the same area,â Mingyu said simply, munching on a chip. âAlso I crashed his place one morning. She was there. Long story. Didnât seem like my business.â
âThat was 1 month ago!â Chan shrieked. âYou kept that to yourself for 1 month?!â
âWell, I enjoyed playing third wheel, okay?â Mingyu said, completely unbothered. âThe horror movie night? Iconic.â
I sank deeper into the couch, my face buried in my hands. âI was going to tell you all properly. This is not how I planned it.â
Soonyoung, of course, made it worse.
âCome on, it was fun. BesidesâŠâ He slung an arm around my shoulder. âI donât regret any of those three weeks.â
Cue groans from everyone else.
Vernon was shaking his head. âYou guys were seriously dating under our noses while we were out here thinking you were enemies.â
âI feel betrayed,â Seungkwan whispered to Ela, who just laughed and shrugged. âIt was pretty obvious to me.â
âAnd got any secret to spill?â Jeonghan asked slyly, looking between us.
My eyes widened. âDonât you dareââ
Too late.
âI had to sleep in a creepy guestroom in Busan!â Soonyoung said proudly. âGhosts? Probably. Fear? Yes. Regrets? None.â
âI cannot with you two,â Seokmin said, putting a hand over his heart like it physically hurt him. âI blinked and suddenly youâre soft.â
âIâve always been soft for her,â Hoshi said.
And despite everythingâeveryoneâs teasing, the chaos, the questionsâwhen I looked at him and he smiled that way, like I was his entire universe, I couldnât help but smile back.
I just covered my face with my hands, groaning, âI hate you.â
Hoshi grinned wider, threw an arm around me, and said, âYou love me.â
And yeah... he was right.
But that didnât stop me from pinching his side under the table while everyone else drowned in the madness that was our friendship-turned-relationship reveal.
This was going to be one chaotic night.
Yeah.
Maybe it was unexpected.
But it was real.
Ela, who had been quiet for a suspiciously long time amidst the chaos, suddenly perked up and raised her hand like she was in a classroom.
âSo,â she said sweetly, voice cutting through the overlapping shouts, âwhenâs the wedding?â
Everything fell silent. Again.
You could hear Chan choking on his soda.
Soonyoung coughed so hard he nearly dropped the piece of kimbap he was chewing. âW-what?!â
My eyes widened as I turned to look at her. âEla!â
âWhat?â she shrugged innocently, grinning. âYou two practically had your honeymoon already. Thought Iâd save time and just ask.â
The boys lost it.
âI havenât even processed the relationship status and now weâre talking marriage?!â Vernon exclaimed, dramatically leaning back into the couch.
Jeonghanâs eyes sparkled with delight. âI support this chaos. Letâs skip to the vows.â
âNo, hold on,â Seungkwan waved his hands. âAre we invited to the wedding or are we just gonna find out through a surprise group chat notification?!â
âDo I get to give a speech?â Seokmin asked, already mentally rehearsing something emotional and way too long.
âI better be the best man,â Mingyu added with a grin, clearly enjoying the escalation.
Meanwhile, I was practically hiding behind a throw pillow, mumbling, âThereâs no wedding.â
Yet.
But Soonyoung?
Soonyoung was beaming. Like Ela just handed him a diamond ring and a perfect proposal script.
âActuallyâŠâ he said, glancing at me with a sparkle in his eyes, âmaybe not yet. But... give me time.â
The entire room erupted into gasps and over-the-top screaming.
âYouâre NOT helping!â I hissed at him, smacking his arm.
âIâm just manifesting our future,â he said, smug and smugger by the second.
Ela clapped her hands like sheâd won a game. âSee? I knew it. Lovebirds.â
Alfa leaned closer to me and whispered, âDonât worry. Weâll plan your bachelorette trip together.â
And I? I just buried my face in my hands again and muttered, âI need another vacation.â
After we stepped back into his apartment, the familiar warmth of the space hit me like a wave of comfort. The chaos of the reunion still rang in my ears â the boys yelling, Wasikaâs marriage bomb, Soonyoung being the proudest boyfriend alive â but here, in this quiet bubble, it felt like everything slowed down.
He tossed his keys into the bowl by the door, kicked off his shoes with a sigh, and looked over at me.
âYou survived,â he grinned.
âBarely,â I mumbled, already walking over and wrapping my arms around his waist. My face buried into his chest, and I breathed him in â the scent I missed, the rhythm of his heartbeat under my cheek.
His arms wrapped tightly around me as if heâd been waiting to hold me again too. âYou okay?â he whispered, voice suddenly softer.
âI missed this,â I murmured. âSo much.â
He chuckled, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. âMe too. Never letting you go again.â
I tightened my hold on him. âEven after that chaos?â
âEspecially after that chaos,â he said, resting his chin on my head. âWeâve survived your dramatic brother, a room full of nosy friends, and marriage jokes... I think we can survive anything now.â
âYouâre not off the hook, you know. The wedding questionâs going to haunt us for a while.â
âGood,â he smirked. âI like the idea of haunting people with the thought of marrying you.â
I looked up at him, rolling my eyes. âYouâre so cheesy.â
âYou love it.â
âUnfortunately... I do.â
He leaned in and kissed me, slow and sure. And in that moment â wrapped up in him, in us â I realized something.
Yeah. I was home.
His lips lingered on mine just a little longer this time â not rushed, not desperate, just⊠warm. Intentional. It was the kind of kiss that melted something inside me, like all my walls softened in his touch.
When we pulled apart, he didnât say anything right away. He just looked at me with that quiet gaze, the one that made my heart race and my breath catch.
âKwon Soonyoung,â I whispered, fingers playing with the collar of his shirt, âdo you always look at people like this?â
âOnly one person,â he replied, voice barely audible, âand she just happens to be in my arms right now.â
My cheeks burned. âGod, stop saying things like thatâŠâ
âBut I mean it,â he murmured, thumb brushing my jaw. âI donât think you realize what you do to me.â
His hand trailed down, slowly resting at the small of my back as he pulled me impossibly closer. There wasnât even a sliver of space between us now â not physically, not emotionally. I could feel the rise and fall of his chest against mine, his breath warming the curve of my neck.
I slid my hands up, over his shoulders, to cup his face. âIâm not going anywhere.â
âYou promise?â His voice was raw now, like he needed the reassurance more than anything.
âI promise,â I said, pressing a kiss to his jaw, then to the corner of his lips. âEven when you say the cheesiest lines.â
He smiled into the next kiss, deeper this time. His hands explored with care, as if I was something precious, something heâd waited too long to hold again. There was no rush. Just the slow burn of closeness, the steady rhythm of breathing each other in.
And when we stumbled toward the couch, fingers laced, laughter mixing with sighs â nothing felt heavy or fast or too much. Just love in its purest, quietest form.
His forehead rested against mine as we laid there, tangled limbs and beating hearts.
âLetâs stay like this,â he whispered.
âFor how long?â
He looked into my eyes, smile soft and eyes sincere. âForever sounds nice.â
I sat there on the edge of his bed, my legs dangling just above the floor, wearing nothing but his oversized shirt â the same one he threw off somewhere between a heated kiss and soft laughter the night before. The distant sound of running water filled the silence as he hummed something inside the shower, probably one of those love songs he always playfully dedicated to me.
I took a deep breath, held my phone to my ear, and dialed the number.
"Mom?" I said the second she picked up.
"Era? You okay? Why are you calling so early?"
I bit my lip, fingers playing with the hem of his shirt. âMom, I think⊠I think I canât live without him.â
There was a pause. A suspicious clinking of a cup on a saucer.
âExcuse me?â she finally said. âDid you just sayââ
âKwon Soonyoung.â I interrupted, my voice firmer now. âMom, Iâm moving to Seoul tomorrow. I donât know how to explain this⊠but being away from him even felt like I was missing a part of me.â
There was complete silence on the other side. I imagined her blinking over her cup of tea, trying to process her daughterâs sudden declaration while probably regretting ever wishing for me to find someone.
âOkay,â she finally said.
âWait⊠what?â I blinked.
She chuckled. âWhat do you want me to say? I raised a woman who knows what she wants. So if itâs Soonyoung, then itâs Soonyoung. Butââ she added, âwhat about your job?â
I flopped back on the bed with a dramatic sigh, staring at the ceiling. âHe said heâll give me anything I ask for. But Iâm not quitting. Iâm just planning to transfer to the Seoul branch.â
âAlright,â she said simply. âAs you wish. Just⊠take care of yourself. And call me when you land.â
âI will,â I smiled, heart lighter. âLove you, Mom.â
âLove you too, my dramatic daughter.â
I hung up just as the bathroom door opened with a cloud of steam and Soonyoung stepped out, towel around his waist and hair dripping wet.
He raised an eyebrow. âThat face. You either just told your mom weâre getting married or that Iâm your first love.â
I grinned. âWorse. I told her Iâm moving to Seoul for you.â
His eyes widened, and then that familiar, wide Soonyoung smile spread across his face. âWait⊠really?â
I nodded. âReally.â
And in that moment â standing there half-dressed in his shirt, watching his dumbstruck face slowly melt into joy â I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be.
seungkwan posting these super boyfi photos will be the death of međ«Ł
Premise: At her best friend's wedding, ERA CHOI meets KWON SOONYOUNGâa loud, dramatic lawyer who's her best friend's soon-to-be husband JEON WONWOO's friend and whoâs nothing like her type. She swears sheâd never fall for someone like him⊠but fate clearly had other plans.
Inspired by Hoshi's STAY and Kim Se-jeong's LOVE, MAYBE
Genre: Rom-Com, Slice of Life, Slow burn, Fluff, Enemies-to-friends-to-lover.
Previous<<
Next>>
Chapter 11
Missed you Idiot
Soonyoung's Point of View
Her lips trembled slightly, and I saw itâjust for a momentâhow her eyes grew glossy, how the unshed tears clung to her lashes, threatening to fall. She looked away, quickly blinking, trying to hold herself together.
I took a careful step closer, not wanting to startle her, not wanting her to back away.
"EraâŠ" I said gently, my voice barely above a whisper. "You don't have to pretend you're okay. Not with me."
She let out a shaky breath, still not looking at me. Her voice came out strained, thick with emotion.
"You know what hurts the most, Hoshi?" she said, almost too quietly. "Itâs that I kept waiting⊠for something. A text. A call. A reason. Anything. But you didn't even notice I was gone."
My chest tightened. The weight of her words hit me hardâlike a punch I didnât even see coming.
"I didnât know, Era," I said, voice full of regret. "I didnât know what you saw that night. If I had known⊠I would've explained everything then and there. I wasnât avoiding youâI was waiting too. I just didnât know what I was waiting for."
She finally looked at me then, her eyes shining, the tears still stubbornly holding on.
"You shouldâve come sooner," she said softly.
"I know," I admitted. "But Iâm here now. And Iâm not leaving without a chance to make this right."
A tear slipped down her cheek despite her efforts, and it took everything in me not to wrap her in my arms right there on the spot. I reached out slowly, giving her time to pull awayâbut she didnât. My hand gently cupped her cheek, brushing away the tear with my thumb.
"Tell me what to do," I whispered. "Iâll do anything. Just donât shut me out again."
She closed her eyes, leaning ever so slightly into my touch. Her voice cracked as she whispered, "I missed you, you idiot."
A tiny smile tugged at my lips.
"I missed you more."
The tension between us finally began to melt, bit by bit. The cold outside still bit at my skin, but I didnât feel it anymore. Not with her this close. Not with her finally letting me back inâeven just a little.
She opened her eyes, finally meeting mine. And though her gaze was still laced with sadness, there was something else tooâhope. Maybe a second chance. Maybe the beginning of something weâd both been too scared to admit we wanted.
âCome on,â she said, voice barely steady. âLetâs get you out of the cold.â
I exhaled, the tightness in my chest easing for the first time in days.
And silently, I followed her âhoping this time, sheâd let me stay.
Era's point of view
Hoshi explained everything to me on our way to my home. His tone was soft but filled with urgency, like heâd been holding it in for too long and finally got the chance to speak. Every little detailâthe lipstick mark, the woman in the meeting, the ridiculous experiment for gathering evidenceâhe laid it all out for me.
And I listened, quietly, as the pieces slowly fell into place.
It all made sense now.
The stain, the confusion, his delayed reaction to my absenceâhe really didnât know. He wasnât being distant. He wasnât ignoring me. He was just being... Hoshi. A little clueless, maybe. But never malicious.
I sighed, resting my head against the car window for a second as we passed familiar streets. The silence between us wasn't uncomfortable anymore. It was thoughtful, thick with things unsaid.
âWellâŠâ I finally said, voice small, âI feel so stupid for misunderstanding the whole thing.â
Hoshi glanced at me from the driverâs seat, lips pressed in a small smile. âYouâre not stupid. If anything, I shouldâve noticed something was wrong. I shouldâve chased after you the moment you left.â
âYou did,â I murmured, looking at him. âJust⊠a little late.â
âStill,â he said. âIâm sorry. I never wanted to hurt you, Era. Not even for a second.â
I gave him a soft, crooked smile. âYouâre really dramatic, you know that?â
He chuckled. âSays the girl who snuck away to Busan like a K-drama heroine.â
We pulled up in front of my houseâmy childhood home. The warm lights from the porch spilled out gently, a comforting kind of familiar. I hesitated, fingers resting on the handle.
Hoshi looked at me again, more seriously this time. âAre you⊠okay now?â
I turned toward him, meeting his eyes. âI think I am. And maybe Iâve always been. I justââ I stopped myself, taking a breath. âI missed you. A lot.â
His eyes softened instantly. âThen letâs not do that again, okay?â
âYeah,â I said, a little laugh escaping. âLetâs not.â
I opened the door and stepped out, then turned back toward him.
âGoodnight, Kwon Soonyoung.â
As I turned to walk up the steps to my house, I heard him call out behind me, âWaitâwhere will I go in this freezing night?â I turned back, raising an eyebrow. âYou didnât think this far?â
He gave me that sheepish grinâthe one that always made it hard to stay mad at himâand shrugged. âI flew all the way to Busan without a plan. My only goal was to find you.â
I narrowed my eyes, trying to keep a straight face. âSo⊠no hotel?â
âNope.â
âNo friendâs place?â
âNope.â
I crossed my arms, pretending to think it over. âYouâre really bad at this, you know.â
âTerrible,â he agreed, stepping out of the car and rubbing his hands together from the cold. âBut Iâm kind of hoping youâll take pity on me and let me stay the night.â
âYou? In my house?â I teased.
âItâs not like Iâve never seen you snuggle up to me when youâre scared of horror movies,â he said with a grin.
My mouth dropped open. âYah!â
He laughed, clearly enjoying himself. âCâmon, Era. Itâs freezing, and your porch light looks warm and inviting.â
I rolled my eyes dramatically, but the smile tugging at my lips betrayed me. âFine. But youâre staying in the guest room.â
He raised a hand in mock surrender. âYes, maâam.â
âAnd donât even think about sneaking into mine in the middle of the night.â
He smirked. âWhat if I hear a ghost?â
I shot him a glare and turned toward the front door. âKwon Soonyoung, youâre the real horror.â
He chuckled behind me as he followed me up the steps, hands tucked in his pockets.
As soon as we stepped into the house, the warmth of my family home wrapped around me. But just as the door clicked shut behind us, I realized⊠this mightâve been a mistake.
My mom peeked from the kitchen, drying her hands on her apron. Her eyes fell on Hoshi, and her brows rose. âOhâŠ?â
Before I could even explain, my dadâs voice came from the living room, âIs that a guest? Why didnât anyone tell me weâre having someone over?â
And just as I opened my mouth to say something, thunderous footsteps came rushing down the stairs.
âERA! WHO IS THIS MAN?!â Choi San, my dramatic little brother, burst into the room, pointing at Hoshi like heâd seen a criminal in a drama. âIs this the reason youâve been acting all weird lately?!â
âOh my god, San!â I groaned, dragging a hand down my face.
Hoshi bowed politely, lips twitching in amusement. âHello, Iâm Kwon Soonyoung. Itâs nice to meet you.â
My mom stepped in before San could dramatize more. âWell, donât just stand there. Soonyoung, was it? Come, stay for dinner.â
âYes, please stay!â San added, a mischievous glint in his eyes. âWe need to interrogateâI mean, get to know you.â
Hoshi just smiled. âOf course. Iâd be honored.â
At the dinner table, things didnât get better.
âSo,â my dad began, sipping his soup, âhow do you know our Era?â
I gave Hoshi a warning look. Please donât say she latched onto me during horror movies.
âWe met at a wedding,â Hoshi said smoothly. âAnd weâve stayed in touch since.â
San squinted across the table. âAre you rich?â
âSan!â I hissed.
âWhat?! Itâs a valid question!â
Hoshi chuckled. âI work hard. But Iâd rather talk about Era. Sheâs amazing, isnât she?â
I choked on my water. My motherâs eyes sparkled. My dad raised a brow. And San? Sanâs jaw dropped.
âOh, this is getting interesting,â he muttered, grabbing more rice.
Hoshi turned to me, completely unfazed. âIâm just being honest.â
I avoided eye contact with everyone and muttered, âCan someone pass the kimchi, pleaseâŠâ
That dinner was possibly the most chaotic meal Iâd had in monthsâbut somehow, with Hoshiâs easygoing charm, my familyâs loudness, and Sanâs drama, it became one of the warmest too.
âHeâs staying the night?â Mom asked, eyebrows raised, clearly trying to sound casual but totally failing.
âYeap!â I said, popping the p with a forced smile. âHe didnât plan anything before flying to Busan. Genius move, right?â
Hoshi scratched the back of his neck, sheepishly grinning. âIt was a bit... spontaneous.â
My mom chuckled... her eyes softened. âWe do have a guest room. San, go make sure itâs not a disaster.â
San, who had been silently chewing and observing with detective-level intensity, stood up dramatically. âGuest room, huh? Soonyoung-ssi, if you hear ghost sounds or something dragging across the floor tonight... thatâs probably not me. It will be a real ghost.â
âSan, go,â I said through gritted teeth.
He saluted, completely unserious, and walked off muttering something about writing a report on Hoshi for the family group chat.
My dad cleared his throat, giving Hoshi a look. âWell, if youâre staying under our roof, you better help with dishes.â
âAbsolutely,â Hoshi said, already standing up with a smile.
I watched him follow my dad to the sink, my chest feeling oddly full. As chaotic as this was⊠it felt warm. Familiar. Like he belonged in this houseâlike he fit.
And honestly? That terrified me just a little.
Later that night, as I was getting ready for bed, my phone buzzed with a message from Hoshi.
âEra, Iâm scared here!!â
I raised an eyebrow, reading the message again. What was he talking about?
I quickly typed back, âWhat do you mean? Itâs just a guest room.â I added a shrug emoji, but deep down, I had a feeling I knew exactly what he was talking about.
His reply came almost instantly. âItâs not just a guest room. Itâs like a ghost house in here! The creaky floors, the dim light, and⊠the paintings on the walls... I swear theyâre staring at me! I feel like Iâm in one of those haunted house movies.â
I couldnât help but laugh softly. I had lived in this house my whole life, and I had never thought much about the guest room, but now that Hoshi mentioned it... yeah, it did have a certain... vibe. The wooden floors creaked like they were alive, and the old paintings on the wallsâmost of them of ancestors who probably hadnât smiled in a centuryâdid kind of give the room an eerie atmosphere.
I quickly typed, âOh my god, I didnât think about that! The roomâs a bit... vintage, but I promise itâs not haunted.â I added a winking emoji, trying to reassure him. âMaybe just keep the lights on and watch something funny before bed. It should help.â
His next message was almost immediate: âIâm not sure I can sleep in there. I keep hearing sounds... and the bed feels way too soft. Itâs like Iâm sinking into it. Help.â
I bit my lip, fighting back another laugh, but I could feel the nervousness in his words. Hoshi had always seemed so confident, and now, here he was, acting like a kid who was afraid of the dark. I kind of liked this side of himâvulnerable and, for once, a little unsure.
I couldnât just leave him like this.
âOkay, okay, Iâll be right there. Donât panic, alright? Iâll come keep you company for a bit.â
I grabbed my phone and slipped out of my room quietly, making my way down the hallway. My heart was racing slightlyânot because I was nervous about going to his room, but because I couldnât shake the feeling of what this would mean.
When I knocked on his door, the sound echoed in the empty hallway. A second later, Hoshi opened it, looking both relieved and slightly embarrassed. He was still wearing the same clothes heâd been in during dinner, his hair messy from running his hands through it in frustration.
âHey,â I said softly, stepping inside,â Why haven't you changed your clothes?"â The room was dim, the only light coming from the streetlamp outside that cast long shadows across the floor. It did look kind of... creepy.
âEra, I came here without any plans remember.â Hoshi said, his voice trembling a little, âAnd I really didnât think Iâd be scared like this. You know Iâm not usually like this.â
I smiled gently, walking over to the bed where he had been lying. The covers were twisted around his legs, as if he had been tossing and turning.
âDonât worry about it,â I said, sitting down beside him. âItâs not easy to sleep in a new place, especially with all the weird sounds. Plus, this room does have... character. And wait let me bring you comfy clothes.â
but his eyes were telling me 'don't to go yet.'
He muttered softly, sitting down in the bed, still looking uneasy. âCharacter... thatâs one way to put it.â
I quickly came back with a set of pajamas.
I nudged him playfully. âIâll stay here until you fall asleep. Howâs that?â
Hoshi smiled at me, but it was a little uncertain. âYou donât have to do that.â
But I could see it in his eyesâhe was relieved to have someone there. It wasnât just about the creepy room anymore. It was about feeling safe, having someone to trust when things felt unfamiliar.
âYouâre not the only one whoâs scared,â I said softly. âIâve been a little freaked out by things too. And itâs better to face things together, right?â
He glanced at me, his expression softening. âYeah... youâre right.â
He went to the washroom to change clothes. When he came out i became sure that he was even too scared to go and pee.
I stayed with him in the quiet room, talking softly and making jokes to distract him. As we sat there, the atmosphere between us shifted from awkwardness to something more comfortable. By the time Hoshi was starting to nod off, I felt a calm settle over the room.
Before he drifted off completely, he looked at me with a small, grateful smile. âThanks, Era. I guess... I was more afraid of being alone than I thought.â
I smiled back, brushing a lock of his hair from his face. âYouâre not alone, Hoshi. Not as long as Iâm here.â
And as he finally fell asleep beside me, I realized that no matter how much I tried to resist, a part of me had already begun to fall for him. This moment, as simple and quiet as it was, felt like the start of something real.
The night stretched on, and despite the chill in the air and the creaking floorboards, the guestroom seemed a little less eerie with Hoshi beside me. We both eventually fell asleep, the quiet hum of the night filling the space around us.
I couldnât remember the last time Iâd felt so at ease in a place that usually felt so foreign. With every shift of the old bed beneath us, I found comfort in the warmth of his presence, despite everything the room had once seemed to represent. The ticking of the old clock on the wall, the faint sound of traffic outsideâit all melted away as we drifted into a peaceful sleep.
Somewhere in the middle of the night, I woke up slightly. My hand was still resting on the edge of the bed where Hoshi was sleeping, and I realized Iâd unconsciously shifted closer to him in my sleep. His breathing was steady, slow, and deep. The sheets were tangled around both of us, and I couldnât help but smile at how we had ended up this wayâcompletely unaware of each otherâs presence when we first started, but now, here we were, sleeping in this old, creaky room together.
I looked over at Hoshiâs face. He looked peaceful, his features soft in sleep, the light from the window casting a soft glow on his skin. It felt strange to be so close to him in this way, yet, somehow, I didnât mind.
The room, which just hours ago had felt like a haunted house, now felt like a strange little bubble of warmth between us. It was quiet, and I could feel his body warmth seep into the air around us, making everything feel a little safer, a little less cold.
I shifted again, this time curling closer to him, wrapping myself in the warmth of the blankets, and soon enough, I fell back into a deeper sleep, my head resting lightly against his shoulder. We both slept through the night, the peacefulness of the moment overriding any thoughts about ghosts or creaky floorboards.
By the time morning came, the room didnât seem so creepy anymore. It was just a roomâone that I shared with Hoshi, in a strange way, and that was enough to make it feel like home for the moment.
Premise: At her best friend's wedding, ERA CHOI meets KWON SOONYOUNGâa loud, dramatic lawyer who's her best friend's soon-to-be husband JEON WONWOO's friend and whoâs nothing like her type. She swears sheâd never fall for someone like him⊠but fate clearly had other plans.
Inspired by Hoshi's STAY and Kim Se-jeong's LOVE, MAYBE
Genre: Rom-Com, Slice of Life, Slow burn, Fluff, Enemies-to-friends-to-lover.
Previous <<
Next>>
a/n:- Looking back at when I first wrote it, the reason for the conflict feels kind of silly, but it is what it is đŹ
Chapter Ten
I jolted awake, my eyes snapping open in the darkness. it was still dark outside. When did I fall asleep? My heart pounded in my chest as I tried to orient myself. The soft hum of the air conditioner filled the silence of the room, and then it hit meâWhat am I doing in his bedroom?
The realization hit like a punch in the gut, and my face flushed with embarrassment. The last thing I remembered was watching rest of the movie with Hoshi, then bam, everything went blank. How the hell did I end up here?
I slowly started to pull away from Hoshi, panic setting in, but as soon as I tried to move, I felt the warmth of his body next to mine, and I froze. My arm was draped over him, and my faceâgreatâwas pressed right against his chest. What the heck was I doing? Why did I feel so comfortable?
But no matter how hard I tried to figure it out, my mind couldnât piece together how I got here. The truth was, I was still pretty terrified from the movie, and the only thing that made me feel safe was Hoshi. The way he was so calm, like he wasnât phased by the fact that I had practically latched onto him in my sleep.
So, instead of panicking further, I did the only thing I could do. I snuggled in deeper, burying my face against his shirt, and let out a small sigh of relief.
I still didnât know what happenedâdid he carry me to his bedroom? Was I too out of it to realize?
But right now, none of that mattered. I was still scared, and at this moment, being close to him was the only thing that made sense. I didnât even realize I had drifted back to sleep, my hand still resting against his chest, and his arm somehow finding its way around my shoulders as if he knew exactly what I needed, even when I didnât.
I woke up alone the next morning, and immediately, panic shot through me. My heart raced as I took in the unfamiliar surroundings. For a moment, I had no idea where I was, but as my eyes adjusted to the dim morning light, the memories of last night came flooding back. Hoshi... My gaze shifted to the empty space beside me, and I felt a slight pang of disappointment when I realized he was no longer there.
Then I noticed a note on the nightstand, resting casually on the wooden surface. I reached for it and read it quickly: Urgent! I have to go to the office.
I exhaled, more out of relief than anything else. Hoshi mustâve had some work emergency, and he had left without waking me. I hadnât expected him to stayâafter all, it had just been one of those nights where everything felt natural, but I knew it was temporary. Still, the way I had fallen asleep in his arms, so comfortably, so... at ease, made me wish the situation were different.
With a soft groan, I dragged myself out of bed, stretching my arms overhead. The soft, warm sheets were a stark contrast to the cold reality that awaited me. I shuffled toward the kitchen, hoping the routine of the day would help me shake off the fog of the night before.
When I entered the kitchen, Mingyu was already there, grinning like he had just won the lottery. As usual, he looked way too cheerful for someone who had just woken up. He was standing by the stove, stirring something in a pot. His hair was slightly messy, and he was wearing a relaxed t-shirt and sweatpants.
âHoshi went to the office early this morning,â Mingyu said, his voice full of casual indifference, as if it were nothing unusual. âSomething urgent came up.â
I nodded absently, taking a moment to process his words. "Right. Thanks for letting me know," I muttered, still not quite awake.
Mingyu set a plate of breakfast in front of meâeggs, toast, and what appeared to be homemade pancakes. I could smell the buttery scent filling the air, and for a second, my stomach growled in appreciation. Mingyu always knew how to cook a perfect breakfast, and I felt bad for insulting his cooking skills yesterday.
He slid into the chair across from me, his grin still plastered on his face. "I leave after breakfast, too. I'm also an office man, haha," he joked, reaching for his own plate. I gave him a tired smile. "Go ahead, who am I to hold you back?" I muttered, picking up my fork. The words came out a little more sarcastically than I meant them, but Mingyu didnât seem to mind.
He chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "You already know, but still, I wanted to sayâHoshiâs a great person. Remember when you yelled at him at the wedding? 'Stay out of my way'? Dude, he looked like he was going to cry right there. He spent the whole night thinking about that, probably rethinking every life choice he'd made up to that point."
The comment hit me like a ton of bricks. I had been so caught up in the emotions of that moment that I hadnât thought about how my words might have affected Hoshi. Hearing that he had been genuinely hurt made me feel... guilty, but also a little conflicted. I hadnât intended to hurt him. I just... didnât know what to do with all the feelings I was pushing away.
I gave a small, sheepish laugh. "Maybe I fell in love," I said, my voice quieter than I meant it to be. It was a throwaway comment, but as soon as the words left my lips, I realized how true they felt.
Mingyu paused, his fork halfway to his mouth. His playful grin faltered slightly as he looked at me, his gaze softening. âYeah... I think you did," he replied, his tone more serious than I was used to hearing from him.
There was a long silence between us as I chewed my food, pretending like I wasnât overanalyzing everything in my head. I wasnât quite sure what to make of it all. Maybe I had fallen for him. Maybe it was just the result of a long night and a lot of emotions getting tangled together. But whatever it was, I couldnât ignore the fact that when I thought about Hoshi, my heart didnât race out of annoyance anymore. It raced because I cared.
I pushed my empty plate aside and leaned back in my chair, letting out a long sigh. Mingyu was still watching me, his expression unreadable.
"Well, guess that explains why I was so... nervous around him, huh?" I muttered, more to myself than to Mingyu. "I didnât know what to do with all of it."
Mingyu didnât answer immediately. He just smiled, like he knew something I didnât. "Youâve got a lot of feelings for him, Era," he said quietly, before standing up and collecting his plate. "But... Iâm sure youâll figure it out."
I nodded absently, lost in thought. Mingyuâs comment was simple, but it hit me harder than I thought. He was right. I had feelings for Hoshi, feelings that were growing deeper by the minute. But I didnât know what to do with them. The lines between us were still blurry, and the last thing I wanted to do was mess things up.
"Just... be careful, okay?" Mingyu added, flashing me one last smile before heading toward the door. "Hoshi might be a lawyer, but heâs not as good at hiding his feelings as he thinks."
I watched him leave, and the weight of his words settled heavily on my chest. As the door clicked shut behind him, I was left standing in the silence of the apartment, unsure of what my next step would be.
I thought about waiting for Hoshi.
I told myself I would wait until he came back. Iâd tell him what I realized this morning over breakfast with Mingyuâhow my heart didnât feel confused anymore, how everything about him, from the annoying flirting to the quiet kindness, made me feel safe in a way I hadnât felt in a long time.
But while waiting⊠I fell asleep.
Curled up on the couch with a blanket, the soft hum of the television lulling me into a daze, I mustâve dozed off without realizing it. The room was dim, lit only by the flickering screen, and somewhere between the tenth time I checked the clock and the fifteenth time I rehearsed what I wanted to say, I slipped into sleep.
Then I heard it.
The beep of the door lock.
I stirred instantly, eyes fluttering open. The sound of the door unlocking, the soft whoosh of it swinging open, his footstepsâHoshi had finally returned. I blinked, trying to sit up as he stepped inside, and for a second, he just stood there.
His eyes widened when he saw me, like heâd seen a ghost.
âYouâre⊠still awake?â he asked, setting down his bag with a surprised blink, his tone wrapped in casual surpriseâbut his expression, it gave away something else. Something... off.
âYeah, I guess I dozed off waiting for the end of the show,â I replied smoothly, rubbing my eyes as if I had just woken up, not been laying there with a growing sense of unease.
He nodded, brushing his hair back tiredly. âLong day. Meetings ran late,â he muttered and moved toward the kitchen to grab a glass of water.
Thatâs when I saw it.
The collar of his shirtâcrisp white, as usual, but with a distinct, unmistakable smudge.
A lipstick stain.
Not just a brush or smearâno, it was a lip print, pale pink, vivid and deliberate, stamped on his collar like some kind of cruel mark.
I blinked, once. Twice. My heart didnât break right awayâit froze. It was like someone paused my pulse, my breath, my thoughts, all in one instant. I felt the crack begin quietly in my chest, too stunned to react immediately.
But then something inside me snapped.
Maybe it was pride. Maybe it was the exhaustion of hoping. Maybe it was self-preservation trying to kick in before my heart could take another hit. Either way, I did something very, very dumb.
He walked back into the room, sipping water casually, like nothing had happened, like there was no trace of betrayal sitting right on his shoulder.
"I'm leaving tomorrow," I said, calmly. Too calmly.
He choked on the water, coughing into his elbow. âWhat?â he spluttered, lowering the glass, his voice confused and frantic.
âI decided to join work again,â I said with a nonchalant shrug, even as my hands clenched into fists under the blanket. âThis vacationâs making me lazy.â
His brows furrowed. âWhy so suddenly? I thought you still had a week left.â
âPlans change,â I replied smoothly, eyes not meeting his. I stood and picked up the empty mug on the table, pretending like everything was fine. Like I hadnât just seen a glimpse of something I wasnât supposed to. Something that changed everything.
He didnât speak for a moment.
I felt his gaze burning into me, like he knew something was offâhe always did. But I wasnât ready to confront it. Not yet. Because if I did, I might scream. Or cry. Or worse, forgive him before knowing the truth.
So I kept moving, past him, to the sink, my back to his.
And in that silence between us, all I could hear was the steady thrum of my heartbeat echoing the only thought running through my head.
Donât fall harder than theyâre willing to catch you.
Hoshiâs Point of view
I don't know what I was expecting when I walked into her office building, but I wasnât expecting the intense, laser-sharp stares that followed me the moment I stepped past the receptionist.
The woman behind the desk had been professional, as expected, giving me the directions to Eraâs office without any hesitation, her eyes scanning me like I was the next big thingâprobably trying to figure out if I was some long-lost relative or a major client. But I didnât care.
I was here for one thing only: her.
Walking through the maze of cubicles and glass offices, I couldn't help but feel like a total outsider. It was the busiest place I had ever been inâbusier than my own office. People were huddled over their laptops, answering phones, and scribbling away at paperwork like they were all on a deadline. And then there was me, standing in the middle of it all, feeling like a bull in a china shop.
I knew Iâd probably stand out, but I wasnât prepared for the way every head seemed to turn in my direction. I could feel their gazes trying to figure out who I was. Was I important? Was I some kind of investor? Or worseâwas I an ex?
I cleared my throat, trying to act like I belonged here, even though I clearly didnât.
Just then, the door to one of the offices opened, and Era stepped out, carrying a stack of reports in her hands. Her gaze immediately locked with mine, and I saw the shock flash across her face. Her eyes widened as she registered who was standing there, and for a moment, I saw the confusion, the disbelief, even a flicker of irritation cross her features.
I realized then that everyone in the office had stopped what they were doing and was now watching us. It wasnât just us in this momentâit felt like the entire office had gone quiet, waiting for whatever was going to happen next.
Eraâs eyes flicked over my figure, then back to my face, probably wondering why I was here. "What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice holding a mix of surprise and something elseâsomething guarded, something I couldn't quite place.
I couldnât help but laugh awkwardly, feeling a bit self-conscious under the weight of her gaze. "Surprise," I said, trying to keep it light, but I could tell she wasnât buying it.
She looked at me like I had just walked into her life uninvitedâlike I wasnât supposed to be here. The atmosphere was thick with tension, and for a second, I regretted not texting or calling first. But that was the thing, wasnât it? I didnât want to wait. I wanted to see her, to talk to her, to explain myself before she decided I wasnât worth it.
"Era," I started, stepping a little closer to her, watching her posture tense slightly as I did. "I know youâre probably busy, but we need to talk. I need to explain."
She took a step back, shifting the papers in her hands uncomfortably. "Thereâs nothing to explain, Hoshi. Iâm not sure what you're doing here, but Iâm working. I have things to do." She made an attempt to walk past me, but I stepped forward, blocking her path.
"Era, please," I said softly, more desperately than I intended. "I messed up. And I know youâre probably mad at me forâ" I gestured toward my shirt, my voice faltering as I realized how ridiculous it all sounded now that I was here in front of her. "âfor not telling you about that lipstick stain."
She froze, her eyes narrowing. "So thatâs what this is about? Youâre here to explain a lipstick stain?" she asked, her voice colder now, but there was something in the way she said it that made my chest tighten.
"No, itâs not just that," I replied, my hands outstretched like I was trying to bridge the gap between us. "I know it looks like I didnât care, and maybe it seemed like I didnât even notice. But I did. I just didnât know how to... how to handle it. And then, you left, and I didnât even know why. Era, Iâ"
She cut me off, her face hardening. "I donât want to talk about this right now, Hoshi. Not here, not now." She turned away, seemingly done with the conversation. "You need to leave."
I stood there, watching her walk back toward her office, the door clicking shut behind her. The employees in the room had gone back to their work, but I could still feel their eyes on me. They had all been watching usâno doubt analyzing every word and gesture we exchanged. They saw everything.
I had to fix this. Somehow.
But I didnât know how.
Would she ever want to hear my explanation? Would she ever believe me when I said I regretted not fighting harder for her?
I took a deep breath and walked out of the office, the weight of the conversation hanging over me. This wasnât over. It couldnât be. But I knew now, more than ever, I needed to prove to her that I wasnât just some guy who couldnât see what was in front of him.
I had to do more than just apologize.
Three hours.
It had been three long hours, and yet, not a single part of me was ready to give up.
The cold was unbearable, biting into my skin, numbing my fingers, but none of it mattered. Not when I knew Era was just a few steps away inside that building. I had flown all the way to Busan just to talk to her, to fix whatever it was that had broken between us.
I couldnât go back, not without telling her how I felt, not without explaining myself.
The chill in the air cut through my jacket, but still, I stayed there, rooted to the ground. My breath was visible in the air, swirling in front of me in small clouds of frustration. I knew I looked ridiculous standing here like this, a man frozen by his own stubbornness. But I didnât care.
My mind replayed that moment inside her office, where she had shut me out so quickly. Her face had been so cold, so distant, and I couldnât understand it. Was she angry? Hurt? Disappointed in me?
I had to fix this.
I glanced at my phone for the hundredth time, hoping for a message, an email, anything that would tell me sheâd reconsidered, but there was nothing. Not a word. And it was killing me inside.
How could I have let it get this far? I thought to myself.
But still, I waited.
It was a different feeling than the one I had before, when I had been unsure about my feelings for Era. I knew nowâwithout a doubtâthat she meant more to me than I had ever let on. All of it, the moments with her, the laughs, the quiet, the times when I had her close, I couldnât let those go. I wasnât going to let her slip away because of a misunderstanding, or because I didnât know how to deal with my feelings sooner.
So I stood there, fighting against the cold, my heart a little lighter but still full of guilt and determination. I wasnât leaving until I saw her again.
Three hours.
The sun was starting to dip lower in the sky, and the city of Busan was alive with movement, the streets buzzing around me as people rushed past, oblivious to the storm brewing in my chest.
Where are you, Era? I silently begged.
Then, finally, the door to the building opened, and I saw her. She was walking toward me, her gaze straight ahead, her coat wrapped tightly around her. But the moment our eyes met, my heart skipped a beat.
She stopped when she saw me, just a few steps away, but I could already tellâshe hadnât expected to see me here, standing outside, in the freezing cold, waiting for her.
The silence stretched out between us, and I could feel the weight of it pressing down on my shoulders.
She took a step closer, her lips parted like she was going to say something, but she didnât.
âEra,â I called, my voice a little shaky, but it was all I could get out.
She didnât move right away, just stood there, watching me.
I stepped forward, my heart racing faster than ever. The chill in the air didnât matter anymore.
"Era," I said again, this time more firmly. "I know I messed up. I know I donât deserve your forgiveness, but I canât leave things like this. I came all the way here because I need to explain myself. I need you to know that I never meant to hurt you. And Iâm sorry for what happened with⊠that stain."
Her eyes flickered for a second, like she was unsure whether she should just walk away or stay. I could see the uncertainty in her face, the conflict in her gaze. But I wasnât going to let her go so easily.
âI care about you, Era,â I said softly, stepping closer to her. âI donât expect you to understand everything, but I need you to know that Iâm serious about this. You donât have to forgive me right away, but please⊠just listen to me.â
The wind blew a little harder, and for a moment, everything seemed to freeze, the noise of the city fading into the background as I waited for her to say something.
Her expression was unreadable, her lips pursed slightly as if she were fighting with herself.
But she didnât leave.
And that was enough for me to keep going.
"Please, Era," I whispered. "Let me make this right."
She stayed silent for a long time, and then, finally, her lips parted.
"Youâre crazy," she muttered, her tone soft but holding a trace of a smile. She took a small step closer, just a few inches away from me, and for the first time in hours, my breath finally steadied.
"Youâre really crazy," she repeated, her voice a little firmer now, but the warmth in her eyes softened everything I had been feeling.
And I knew then that maybe, just maybe, there was hope.
I smiled, my heart lighter, and for the first time in a long while, I felt like maybe things would be okay.
âIâll be crazy for you,â I whispered, my smile growing.
She rolled her eyes, but I could see her lips trembled slightly, and I saw itâjust for a momentâhow her eyes grew glossy, how the unshed tears clung to her lashes, threatening to fall. She looked away, quickly blinking, trying to hold herself together.
a/n:- I'm really sorry for the unannounced hiatus and this time I've no excuse! I hope you guys enjoy Today's update đ«¶đ»
Stay With Me
Pairing: Choi Era x Kwon Soonyoung
Premise: At her best friend's wedding, ERA CHOI meets KWON SOONYOUNGâa loud, dramatic lawyer who's her best friend's soon-to-be husband JEON WONWOO's friend and whoâs nothing like her type. She swears sheâd never fall for someone like him⊠but fate clearly had other plans.
Inspired by Hoshi's STAY and Kim Se-jeong's LOVE, MAYBE
Genre: Rom-Com, Slice of Life, Slow burn, Fluff, Enemies-to-friends-to-lover.
Previous<<
Next>>
Chapter Nine
Eraâs POV
The city lights flickered past in a blur through the passenger window. I sat quietly, still trying to process everything from that rooftop dinner. The food. The song. The way he looked at me when I danced with him.
And now we were in his stupidly expensive BMW, with his stupidly rolled-up sleeves, and his stupidly casual charm.
He tapped the steering wheel lightly, glancing over at me like he wasnât the reason my chest felt all weird. Then casuallyâso casuallyâhe said, âLetâs do this time to time.â I blinked. âDo⊠what?â
He shrugged one shoulder. âDinner. Talking. You blushing. Me driving. It was nice.â I scoffed, more to cover up the way my stomach flipped. âYou make it sound like a therapy session.â He grinned, pulling up to a red light. âHey, if this is your idea of therapy, maybe Iâm in the wrong profession.â
I raised a brow at him. âYou're a lawyer, not a life coach.â
âSo? Iâm a multitasker.â
I crossed my arms. âAnd what if I donât want to do this time to time?â He tilted his head toward me with the most infuriating smirk. âThen donât. Iâll just keep showing up at random bars until I find you again.â
I rolled my eyes, but the smile betrayed me. âYouâre unbelievable.â
The light turned green. He drove forward, calm and confident. As if weâd been doing this forever.
And sitting beside him, hearing his low humming to whatever had playing on the stereo, I hated how comfortable it felt.
But what I hated more?
I didnât really want it to end.
The car rolled to a gentle stop in front of a sleek hotel. The valet was already stepping forward when I reached for the door handle.
âYouâre seriously staying here?â Hoshi asked, looking at me with that slightly wounded, slightly amused expression. âYou know my place is ten minutes away.â
I looked at himâreally looked at him. The sleeves still rolled up, the collar open just enough to be criminal, the glint in his eyes like he knew the effect he had.
And that was exactly the problem.
âI canât,â I said, soft but firm. âIâll stay here tonight.â
His brow furrowed slightly, lips parting like he wanted to say something. But I beat him to it.
âI mean, have you seen yourself lately?â I gestured at him, flustered. âYouâre⊠youâre not the Hoshi I met at the wedding though.â
He stilled. âNo?â I shook my head, biting my cheek. âBut guess what? I liked him better.â That hit home. His expression falteredâjust for a second. âOuch.â
âGood,â I said, giving him a quick smirk and opening the door.
He leaned slightly over the center console, voice softer this time. âJust so you know, Iâm not trying to be someone else.â
I paused with one foot out. âThen stop acting like youâve already won something.â
He laughed quietly. âI havenât?â
I didnât answer.
Because that night, in the hallway of that expensive hotel, with my heart thudding louder than my heels on the marble floorâ
âI wasnât so sure anymore.
had barely taken three steps toward the hotel lobby when I heard itâ
âERA-YAH!!â
I stopped dead in my tracks. Heads turned. A couple exiting the elevator looked startled. And I closed my eyes because of course he would. I spun around, glaring over my shoulder at the black BMW parked dramatically by the curb. Hoshi was leaning halfway out the driverâs window like a chaotic K-drama lead, grinning like he had nothing to lose.
âI am the Hoshi from the wedding!â he yelled again. âYou just didnât bother looking properly!â
A few people around us clapped or laughed. I wanted to disappear into the marble flooring. âYouâre embarrassing yourself!â I called back.
He shrugged, completely unbothered. âThen donât leave me like this!â I crossed my arms. âLike what?â
He grinned wider, eyes sparkling, âLike a man who let the best thing walk into a hotel when heâs got a damn penthouse-sized apartment!â
I rolled my eyes so hard they nearly got stuck. Still, my heart fluttered in the most inconvenient way.
And just before walking toward his car, I couldnât help itâI grinned.
Because yeahâŠ
That was the Hoshi from the wedding.
The morning sun spilled lazily through the wide windows of Hoshiâs living room, catching soft golden streaks on the floor. I was curled up on his plush couch, wearing one of his ridiculously oversized hoodiesâdonât ask how that happenedâscrolling through my phone while sipping coffee heâd made before heading to take a shower.
All peaceful.
Untilâ
BEEP.
The apartment door opened with a click.
I froze.
From the hallway emerged Kim Mingyu, hair messy, holding a bag of takeout and a confused look plastered across his face.
âOh,â he blinked. âYouâre⊠here.â
I stared. âWhy are you here?â
âI have a key,â he said casually, holding it up like it made sense. âHoshi gave it to me. I didnât think anyone else would be here.â
âI live in a different city, Mingyu.â
âI didnât know you were in Seoul!â
âI didnât know you randomly crash at your friendâs apartment!â
âI was hungry!â
We both stared at each other for a second before he slowly stepped into the living room.
Then his eyes narrowed. âWait. Is that Hoshiâs hoodie?â I sipped my coffee, refusing to answer. âHOSHI!â Mingyu yelled toward the hallway. âSHEâS WEARING YOUR CLOTHES. IS THIS A THING?!â
From the bathroom, Hoshiâs voice echoed, âDonât yell, Gyu!â Mingyu turned back to me with a grin. âSo⊠is this a thing?â
I glared. âNo. I just didnât pack enough clothes.â âRight,â he nodded like he totally believed me.
And then under his breath, with a mischievous smirk: âBet.â
Hoshi finally walked out of the bathroom, hair damp and tousled, a towel lazily slung around his neck. His white t-shirt clung slightly to his chest, sleeves rolled up like always, paired with grey sweats. He looked effortlessly at home and annoyingly good-looking.
âWhy are you shouting this early, Gyu?â he asked, drying his hair with the towel, completely unfazed.
Mingyu leaned back on the couch, arms crossed, smirking like heâd just won the lottery. âOh, nothing,â he said sweetly. âJust surprised to see her here⊠like this,â he gestured toward me in Hoshiâs hoodie, blanket over my legs and coffee in hand. âDidnât realize we were playing house now.â
Hoshi raised an eyebrow, glancing at me.
I, of course, sank deeper into the couch, muttering, âItâs just a hoodie.â
Mingyu gasped dramatically, âJust a hoodie? Babe, thatâs practically a relationship status in K-drama language.â
I threw a pillow at him. He caught it with ease. Hoshi just chuckled under his breath and walked past us into the kitchen. âYou!!Are you just here to spy?â
âHey, I brought food!â Mingyu held up the bag proudly. âBut honestly, I feel like I walked into the early stages of a rom-com. Just missing the soundtrack and a âwill-they-wonât-theyâ montage.â
âKeep talking, Iâll put a montage of your worst cooking skills together,â I snapped. Hoshi smirked without turning around, âPlay nice, kids.â Mingyu's expression was like wtf!
Mingyu leaned toward me and whispered with a grin, âHeâs so soft now. Did you do this? Because I remember wedding-Hoshi. That guy was all bark and zero chill.â
I didnât respondâbut even I knew I was trying not to smile.
âIâll stay for lunch,â Mingyu announced, already pulling out a stool at the kitchen island like he lived there. âI didnât invite you,â Hoshi deadpanned, cracking eggs into a bowl.
âYou donât have to. I brought food, remember?â Mingyu grinned, dramatically setting down a bag of pastries. âAlso, I had a dream where I was starving, and then I woke up and realized I was still starving. So here I am.â I rolled my eyes. âYou couldâve eaten at your own place.â
Mingyu gasped. âAlone? In silence? With no one to judge my third croissant? Absolutely not.â
Hoshi passed me a plate of toast, then gave Mingyu a look. âFine. But clean your own plate.â Mingyu winked at me. âSee what I mean? Heâs so domestic these days. Youâre turning him into a househusband, Era.â
I choked on my orange juice while Hoshi muttered under his breath, âIâll turn you into a pancake if you keep talking.â Mingyu just grinned wider. âSo defensive. Cute. Anyway, Era, if you ever get tired of this grumpy man-child, you know where to find me.â
âI donât, actually,â I said flatly. âAnd I plan to keep it that way.â
âYou wound me.â
I tried to hide my laugh, but it slipped. Hoshi looked at me sideways, but his lips were twitching too.
Mingyu, meanwhile, was spreading jam on his toast like he owned the place. âSo whatâs the plan for today, lovebirds? More subtle flirting and pretending youâre just friends?â
âGet out,â Hoshi and I said at the same time.
Mingyu chuckled, stuffing toast in his mouth. âYou guys are no fun.â
âPlease tell me youâre not staying again,â Hoshi groaned as Mingyu threw himself dramatically onto the couch right between us, a bowl of popcorn in hand.
âItâs movie night,â Mingyu grinned. âAnd this couch fits three. Perfect for a third wheel like me.â
âWe didnât invite you,â I pointed out, adjusting the blanket on my lap. âAnd we were literally about to start Before Sunrise.â
âWhich is a romance,â Mingyu said with exaggerated innocence. âWouldnât want you guys getting too comfortable without supervision.â I gave him a deadpan stare. âYou live for this, donât you?â
âAbsolutely.â He shoved a handful of popcorn into his mouth and then added with his mouth full, âBesides, Hoshi made pasta, and I know you don't make that for just anyone.â
Hoshi let out an exhausted sigh. âI shouldâve locked the door.â
âYou say that like I wouldnât have the key to get in anyway.â Hoshi looked at me. âHe literally climbed through the window once.â
âI was hungry and lonely,â Mingyu defended. âAlso, I brought wine this time, so youâre welcome.â
We all stared at the screen as the opening credits started, and Hoshi hesitantly moved his hand close to mine on the couch. But then Mingyu, of course, chose that moment to sigh dramatically.
âAh, young love. So subtle. So awkward.â
âDo you want me to throw you out now or wait until halfway through the movie?â Hoshi asked flatly. âLet me at least stay until the kiss,â Mingyu replied with a wink.
âThere is no kiss,â I muttered. âYet.â Mingyu said, wiggling his eyebrows.
I buried my face into the blanket, partly from embarrassment⊠and partly to hide my smile.
âI vote horror!â Mingyu announced, already switching the streaming app. âNoâwaitâabsolutely not! We said rom-com!â I protested, panic rising in my chest.
âOh come on, Era,â Mingyu grinned mischievously. âYouâre not scared, are you?â
Scared? Of course Iâm scared. But how could I possibly admit that in front of these two? Especially not in front of Kwon Soonyoung, who was currently lounging in a hoodie, looking infuriatingly confident like horror movies were just nature documentaries to him.
I crossed my arms and smirked, âMe? Scared? I watched The Ring when I was ten.â Technically true. Also, technically the last time I ever watched a horror film.
So the movie began. The sound of ominous music filled the room as the lights were turned off, and Mingyu pulled the blanket up to his nose within the first five minutes.
âWhy did I do this?â he whispered to himself. âWhy do I always do this...â
I sat frozen, body stiff as a board, trying to breathe casually. My eyes were half-shut, heart racing. My brain screamed, DONâT LOOK AT THE CLOSET. DONâT LOOK AT THE MIRROR. DONâTâ
Then the first jump scare hit.
I screamed. Not a cute gasp. Not a surprised yelp. A full-on, horror-movie-style shriek. And before I knew it, I had flung myself sidewaysâŠ
âŠonto Hoshi.
Like a reflex, my face buried into his shoulder, and my arms wrapped around his arm tighter than a snake. Hoshi blinked down at me, shocked for a second. Then he smirked. âSo much for being brave, huh?â âShut up,â I mumbled, refusing to look up.
âI mean, not that Iâm complaining,â he added, slightly smug now. âYou can keep using me as a pillow. Iâm quite fluffy.â
âYouâre so annoying.â
âYouâre so cuddly.â
Mingyu, meanwhile, had completely disappeared under the blanket. âAre they gone?â he whispered. âDo you want to switch to cartoons?â Hoshi asked him.
And thatâs how we ended up watching Finding Nemo insteadâme still latched to Hoshiâs arm, Mingyu munching popcorn with wide eyes, and all of us pretending the previous 20 minutes never happened.
The movie is finally over, but the eerie silence of the room doesnât make it feel any less terrifying. Mingyu, sprawled on the couch with his head resting on the armrest, is blissfully unaware of the horror thatâs still gnawing at both me and Hoshi.
I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves, but I canât stop the chills running down my spine. Itâs like every creak of the apartment echoes like footsteps in a haunted house.
I look over at Hoshi, who is sitting way too calmly next to me. Does he not feel the same tension? Does he not hear the invisible footsteps? I glance at him again, but heâs staring at me. I almost jump out of my skin.
"Are you okay?" he asks, his voice smooth and easy, almost as if he didnât just subject me to the most terrifying thing Iâve seen in years.
I swallow hard, forcing a smile. "Iâm fine," I say, though the shakiness in my voice gives me away. I can't lie, not to him.
Hoshi chuckles, the sound warm and teasing. "Youâre still scared, arenât you?"
I glare at him, but the fear in my eyes says otherwise. "Iâm not scared," I say, my voice not as confident as I want it to be.
"Oh really?" He leans in a bit closer, making my heart race for a different reason now. "Then why are you holding onto me like Iâm your life support?"
I look down at my hands, realizing that Iâm latched onto his arm with the death grip of a terrified person. "Iâm not!" I exclaim, letting go quickly.
Hoshi laughs, and I feel my cheeks heat up. "Itâs okay," he says, "I donât mind being your human pillow for the night."
That only makes me flustered more. "Shut up, Kwon Soonyoung," I mutter, though the warmth in my voice betrays me.
He smirks, obviously enjoying this, and Iâm left wondering how I can be both mad at him and completely at ease with him at the same time.
Premise: At her best friend's wedding, ERA CHOI meets KWON SOONYOUNGâa loud, dramatic lawyer who's her best friend's soon-to-be husband JEON WONWOO's friend and whoâs nothing like her type. She swears sheâd never fall for someone like him⊠but fate clearly had other plans.
Inspired by Hoshi's STAY and Kim Se-jeong's LOVE, MAYBE
Genre: Rom-Com, Slice of Life, Slow burn, Fluff, Enemies-to-friends-to-lover.
Previous << Next>>
Chapter Eight
Just Go Away, Kwon Hoshi
Eraâs POV
I swear I woke up the second I heard the door click open.
I was trying to watch Ela and Wonwooâs wedding video again â donât ask me why â and somewhere between the vows and the bouquet toss, my eyes started to droop. I must've passed out mid-replay, remote still in my hand.
Then I felt it.
Footsteps. A soft sigh. Someone crouching beside me.I didnât need to look. I just knew it was him.
Hoshi.
The air shifted around me the moment he entered the room, like it always does. And then, to my utter horror â I felt it. His fingers brushed across my forehead, tucking away a strand of hair. Excuse me?
My heart was thundering in my chest but I couldnât move. Couldnât even open my eyes. It wasnât that I didnât want to â my body just betrayed me. Froze. Like I was paralyzed by the sheer absurdity of the moment.
Why the hell is he brushing my hair back? Why does his touch feel soâ Nope. No. Stop it, brain.
I could feel him staring at me.
Was I drooling? Did I snore? Oh my god, I swear to every deity alive, if I did, Iâm throwing myself off the balcony. Just⊠go away, Kwon Hoshi. PLEASE!
And like he actually heard my internal meltdown, he sighed⊠and walked away.
I peeked through barely opened eyes and saw him disappear into the kitchen, rolling up those stupid white sleeves again, like he owns the place. Like he didnât just cause me to internally combust with one simple gesture.
I slowly exhaled. Okay. Cool. Normal. Everythingâs fine. Totally fine. Except it isnât. Because now Iâm wide awake. And I felt everything.
I sat up slowly, fixing my hair like nothing happened, even though everything definitely happened. Wellâokay, technically, nothing happened. But it felt like something, which is worse.
The wedding video was still looping silently on the screen. Ela's laugh echoed from the speakers as I reached for the remote and turned it off, as if muting her would silence the thoughts spiraling in my head.
I found him in the kitchen, back turned to me, focused on something on the stove. Rolled-up sleeves. Crisp white shirt. Black pants. The smell of butter and vanilla in the air.
And him. It was unfair.
I leaned against the wall and cleared my throat. He glanced back with a smile that was too casual. âYouâre up. Had a nice nap on my couch?â
âYour couch sucks,â I lied.
âYou drooled on the cushion,â he replied without missing a beat.
I gasped. âI did not!!â He shrugged, flipping something on the pan. âGuess weâll never know.â I crossed my arms, narrowing my eyes. âYou're annoying.â âYou stayed in my apartment,â he smirked. âYou must like annoying.â
I rolled my eyes so hard I mightâve seen the next galaxy. He set a glass of water in front of me at the counter, then leaned in slightly, meeting my eyes. âDonât worry,â he murmured, âI didnât watch you sleep⊠for that long.â
âKWON SOONYOUNG!â
He burst into laughter and backed away just in time to dodge the napkin I threw at his face. God, he was impossible. And I? I was in trouble. Because his smile felt a little too familiar now.
"So⊠when are we going?" I asked, fidgeting with the glass in my hand. "I know the idea was to go for lunch but now we can't since you slept," he said like he was teasing me... I glared at him, "I just took a nap kwon hoshi?"
He let out a chuckle, "Oh god how much I love to tease you! By the way we're going for dinner." I asked out of curiosity, "Where are we going exactly?"
Hoshi leaned back in his chair, sipping from his coffee mug like we werenât entering uncharted territory. âSomewhere with good food. Youâll like it.â
âThatâs not an answer.â
âThatâs all you're getting unless you want to ruin the surprise.â I squinted. âIs this a date?â He didnât even blink. âDid I say that?â âYou didnât deny it either.â
aA sly smile tugged at his lips. âIf you think itâs a date, thatâs your imagination. Iâm just making sure my unexpected guest doesnât get bored and wander off to find Mingyu.â
I narrowed my eyes. âYouâre still stuck in that?â âI'm not stuck in that,â he said with that ridiculous calm tone. âI just think Mingyu has enough friends. He doesnât need mine.â
ââŠI'm not your friend.â âRight,â he said, standing up, grabbing his keys. âThatâs what you keep telling yourself.â
I rolled my eyes and grabbed my bag. âFine. Iâll come. Only because Iâm bored.â He looked back and grinned. âAnd definitely not because itâs a date.â
âI fucking swear to God, Kwon Soonyoungââ âLanguage,â he said, stepping out the door. I groaned, muttering under my breath.
Why does this feel like a date when itâs absolutely, positively not one?
Right?
I shouldâve known something was up when we pulled into a private rooftop parking lot with valet service. Likeâvalet service? Just for two people? âKwon Soonyoung, what the hell is this?â He didnât even flinch. âDinner.â
I blinked at the tall building in front of me. âThis looks like a place you book three months in advance and sell your kidney to afford.â
âOne day,â he corrected smoothly. âAnd I still have both kidneys.â I stared at him. âWhy are we here?â He shrugged, opening my door like some overly smug chauffeur. âBecause I wanted to take you somewhere nice.â
âSeriously?â
âOnly for you,â he said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. I blinked. Once. Twice. Kwon Soonyoung was rich. Okay, I knew that. But this? This was different. Candlelit rooftop. City lights. A table already set with flowers and actual gold-rimmed plates.
He pulled out my chair for me like some kind of damn drama male lead and sat down across from me with a boyish grin, like he hadnât just shattered every âthis is not a dateâ claim he ever made. I sat down slowly. âYou're such a show off." He leaned forward, eyes glinting. âOnly when it matters.â
God, why did my heart do a backflip at that?
This is not a date, Era. Not a date. Itâs just food. Expensive food. With mood lighting. And flowers. And a man who looks like he walked out of a K-drama poster.
Yeah. Not a date. Totally. Right?
âSoâŠâ I mumbled, twirling the last piece of pasta on my fork, â...you do this for all your friends?âvSoonyoung looked up from his wine glass, one brow arching. âRooftop dinners with candlelight and music? Hmm⊠yeah. All the time. Just did one for Mingyu last week.â
I burst out laughing. âShut up.â He smirked. âYou asked.â I rolled my eyes, âYouâre annoying.â âI get that a lot,â He leaned back in his seat, smile lingering, âBut you still came with me.â
I glanced around the rooftop. It was quiet now, the last streaks of pink melting into navy in the sky. A soft breeze blew, carrying the faint sound of jazz⊠until it faded and a new song started.
My head tilted slightly. It took me three seconds to register it.
Love, Maybe
My favorite song. I froze. His smirk deepened. âYou recognize it?â
âDid youâdid you request this?â He blinked innocently. âWhat? You think I called the rooftop DJ beforehand and asked them to play your favorite K-drama OST just to see you blush over grilled shrimp?â My face was hot. âSo you didnât?â
âI didnât say that.â I glared. He stood, walking around to my side. âCome on.â
âWhat?â He extended a hand. âLetâs dance.â
âAre you serious?â
âYouâre wearing heels. You have no excuse.â
I hesitated for a beat too long, but took his hand anyway. His palm was warm. His touch was gentle. The kind of gentle that didnât match the cocky grin he wore twenty-four-seven.
He pulled me close, one hand on my waist, the other guiding mine onto his shoulder. I was painfully aware of every breath, every inch between us. âKwon SoonyoungâŠâ I muttered, barely audible.
He leaned down slightly. âI like it when you call me by my full name.â
My eyes shot up to his. His smile softened, âYou always say it when youâre flustered.â
âIâm not flustered.â
âYouâre blushing.â
âShut up.â
We swayed slowly, the city lights blurring behind him. And for a moment, I forgot this wasnât a date. For a moment, I forgot I didnât like him.
Because if I did⊠I might have kissed him right there.
Premise: At her best friend's wedding, ERA CHOI meets KWON SOONYOUNGâa loud, dramatic lawyer who's her best friend's soon-to-be husband JEON WONWOO's friend and whoâs nothing like her type. She swears sheâd never fall for someone like him⊠but fate clearly had other plans.
Inspired by Hoshi's STAY and Kim Se-jeong's LOVE, MAYBE
Genre: Rom-Com, Slice of Life, Slow burn, Fluff, Enemies-to-friends-to-lover.
Previous<<
Next>>
Chapter Seven
Not Boyfriend yet!
Eraâs POV
I crossed my arms and leaned against the doorframe, watching him.
Hoshi looked up when he sensed movement. His gaze landed on meâhis shirt drowning my frame (okay I can't sleep in my dress)...my hair a mess, sleep still lingering in my eyes.
He blinked. âMorning.â
ââŠAre you trying to bribe me with breakfast?â He smirked. âWould it work?â âNo.â Pause. âOkay, maybe a little.â
He grinned like heâd won some kind of game, turning back to the stove. âYouâre welcome to sit. Coffeeâs ready too.â
I walked over slowly, still trying to understand why the most chaotic, annoying man I knew was standing there looking like⊠like someoneâs dream husband. But whatever. I sat at the kitchen island, watching him plate scrambled eggs and stack the pancakes. He poured me a cup of coffee just the way I liked itâhow did he even know that?
âYou sleep alright?â he asked casually. âIn your massive, unnecessarily luxurious guest room? Yeah. Better than I thought I would, honestly.â
âGood.â He slid the plate in front of me. âEat. You look like you havenât had anything besides caffeine and sarcasm for days.â âBecause I havenât,â I muttered, stabbing a piece of pancake with my fork. âWhy are you being so nice?â
He raised an eyebrow. âBecause you looked like hell last night and my conscience doesnât let me sleep when I know someone I care about is wandering into overpriced hotel rooms alone at midnight.â
My hand paused mid-bite.
ââŠSomeone you care about?â
He met my gaze, calm, steady. Not flirting. Not teasing. Just stating it like fact. I cleared my throat and looked down at my plate. âWell. You didnât have to.â âI know,â he said softly. âBut I wanted to.â
Silence settled between us for a beat too long.
I needed to shift the atmosphere. âThis shirt smells like expensive detergent. Youâre such a show-off, even with laundry.â He laughed. âWell, if you're going to insult me, at least eat my pancakes while you do it.â
And so I did. While trying very hard to ignore the annoying warmth creeping up my neck. Not because of him. Just the coffee. Right?
I took a bite of pancake, glancing at him over the rim of my coffee cup. âAre you leaving for work today?â I asked, almost nonchalantly.
He nodded, brushing a hand through his already styled hair, and smirked. âWhy? Do you want me to stay here with you?â
I immediately slapped his arm. âYahh!!â
He burst out laughing, dodging another half-hearted hit from me as he grabbed his suit jacket. âAlright, alright. Spend your time however you like. Iâll be back by 6⊠maybe.â
I stared at him, my fork halfway to my mouth. I didnât realize I looked like a confused puppy until he raised an eyebrow and tilted his head. âWhat?â he asked. I huffed. âImma call Mingyu and hang out with him.â
The second the words left my mouth, his expression dropped. He looked at me like Iâd just kicked a puppy or dropped a national secret. ââŠWhy do you have Mingyuâs number?â he asked, lips pressed into a flat line.
I blinked. âNo reason. He asked for it, and I gave it to him?â
Hoshi didnât say anything for a second. Then, like it was the most natural thing in the world, he shoved his phone across the counter toward me. âGive me too.â
âWhat?â
âYour number,â he said casually. âIf youâre giving out numbers like candy, I want yours in my contacts too.â
I narrowed my eyes at him but took the phone anyway. âPossessive much?â âProtective,â he corrected, grabbing his car keys from the counter. âAlso, donât hang out with Mingyu today.â
I looked at him like heâd lost his mind. âExcuse me?â.He shrugged like it was obvious. âIâll take a half day off. Just watch some TV or nap. When I come back, Iâll take you out for lunch.â I stared at him, dumbfounded. âWhy are you talking like youâre my boyfriend?â
He didnât even hesitate. âIâm not. Not Yet.â
And just like that, he walked toward the door, leaving me flustered in his shirt, at his kitchen counter, with an unfinished pancake and a very confused brain.
âYah, Kwon Soonyoung!â I shouted after him, but the door had already clicked shut.
I stared at the space heâd just disappeared through. ââŠYet?â
What the hell does yet mean?
Hoshiâs POV
I actually did it. Took a half day.
I donât know what exactly possessed me to do it. Maybe the way she looked at me this morning â that little lost-puppy gaze she didnât even realize she gave me. Maybe the way her voice lingers in my head, even when sheâs not around. Or maybe I just didnât want her spending her afternoon with Mingyu.
Whatever the reason, I was home earlier than expected.
I unlocked the door and stepped into the apartment, letting the soft clink of keys echo in the quiet. The living room was unusually still, sunlight pouring through the curtains like liquid gold. And there she was.
Era.
Curled up on the couch, head resting on a throw pillow, one arm draped over her stomach as she slept. The TV was still on, but the volume was low. I looked over and realized sheâd been watching something.
I took a step closer and instantly recognized the video on screen.
Ela and Wonwooâs wedding.
Of course. Sheâs the best friend. She would have all the raw footage, every second, every smile. The way she decorated the venue with such attention to detail â even the flowers had their own rhythm.
I smiled softly, but my gaze shifted back to her. Why does she look so beautiful while sleeping? Her face was peaceful, lips slightly parted, hair falling over her cheek like a delicate curtain. I crouched beside the couch, just watching her for a moment.
And then, without really thinking about it, I reached forward and brushed a few strands of hair from her face. Carefully. Gently.
She didnât stir. God, sheâs stunning. Like a goddess who decided to rest in a mortal's living room.
I felt my heart lurch a little, completely out of rhythm. This isnât fair. Iâm not supposed to feel like this..But I do.
I looked at her one last time before standing up and sighing softly. I didnât wake her. She needed rest. But I swear, if she finds out I stared at her like a love-struck fool while she was asleep, Iâm never going to hear the end of it.
StillâŠ
I walked to the kitchen, tossing my blazer over a chair.
Premise: At her best friend's wedding, ERA CHOI meets KWON SOONYOUNGâa loud, dramatic lawyer who's her best friend's soon-to-be husband JEON WONWOO's friend and whoâs nothing like her type. She swears sheâd never fall for someone like him⊠but fate clearly had other plans.
Inspired by Hoshi's STAY and Kim Se-jeong's LOVE,MAYBE.
Genre: RomCom, Slice of life, Slow burn, Fluff, Enemies-to-friends-to-lover.
Previous
Next
Chapter Six
Red wine and Coincidences
Eraâs POV
A month off. A whole month.
When my boss handed me that bonus envelope and said, âYou outdid yourself, Miss. Choi. Take your team and breathe,â I couldâve cried. But I didnât. I just smiled, bowed, and let the pressure fall off my shoulders for the first time in weeks.
Ela left for Canada with Wonwoo three days ago, giggling and blushing at the airport while Mingyu played cameraman and waved a tissue like a fake parent sending their child to boarding school.
And me? I had nowhere to go, no one to hang out with. So I did the only thing that felt adult enoughâ
I slipped into a wine-red slip dress, heels that matched my mood, and walked into the coziest bar in downtown Seoul. Not the loud type with neon signs and college students trying to forget examsâthis one was sleek, with jazz humming through the speakers and real candles on the tables.
I ordered a glass of red wine and settled into a corner booth. One glass turned into two, then three.
It wasnât that I was lonely. I was just⊠alone.
And for once, it didnât feel like a bad thing.
Hoshiâs POV
People think I joke too much. That Iâm unserious, chaotic, and way too loud to be a lawyer.
But courtrooms are my war zone. I donât lose. And tonight, I won.
Convincing my clientâs opponent to settle wasnât easy. I had to follow him to this bar, watch him get buzzed, and then strike with logic sharper than any drink heâd had.
It worked. He agreed. A handshake and a signature later, I exhaledâcase closed.
I was about to leave whenâI saw her.
Wine red dress. Long hair cascading down her back. Holding her wine glass like it belonged in her hand and no one elseâs.
She looked⊠different. Not just beautiful. Real.
The kind of beautiful that didnât ask for attention and still got it.
It was her.
Era Choi.
I hadnât seen her since the wedding. Since she disappeared without a word.
I stood there frozen for a beat too long.
She hadnât noticed me yet.
Should I leave? Walk away?
She didnât like me. She made that very clear. But damn itâ
I walked up to her table anyway.
Eraâs POV
I sensed someone hovering. I glanced up, and there he was.
White shirt rolled at the sleeves. Loosened tie. Hair messier than usual.
Kwon Soonyoung.
âStalking me now, Kwon?â I raised an eyebrow, trying not to slur. He smirked, sliding into the seat across from me without asking. Typical.
âDidnât know you drank red,â he said casually. âI do a lot of things you donât know,â I muttered, twirling my glass.
He tilted his head. âLet me guess. Youâre celebrating the big fat wedding?â
I gave a short nod. âAnd mourning the absence of my best friend whoâs off being all married and happy in Canada.â
âYouâll survive,â he echoed Ela's words from the FaceTime. My eyes narrowed.
âYouâre annoying.â âI know.â
We sat there for a moment. Quiet. Jazz humming low between us.
Then I asked something he might've expected... "So, you're a lawyer?"
And there it wasâthat smug grin. Now I regretted even asking.
"So you've been asking around about me?" he teased, leaning in just a little too confidently. "You couldâve just asked mâ" I cut him off with a glare. "You and your annoying ass."
đą IMPORTANT UPDATE: Life Got Me, But Iâm Back!
**Streaming, studying, and silenceâbut I'm back now!**
Hi everyone,
I know itâs been a while since my last update (May 17 to be exact đ ). Life got a bit hectic with exams, and then SEVENTEENâs comeback on May 26 completely swept me awayâstreaming was basically a full-time job!
Iâm really sorry for the delay, and even if just a few of you are waiting for STAY WITH ME, please know that I appreciate your patience more than you know. Iâm slowly getting back on track and will be posting again very soon
ăâ synopsis: the people that youâve met are meant to be there in your life, on most occasions. however, the person that youâve set up your whole life with is one where you know theyâre irreplaceable. with every flashback that you may encounter comes hope for the upcoming future, and that was the reason why you were always looking forward to meeting him.
ăâ genre: strangers to lovers!au, angst, some fluff, some humor
ăâ warnings: major character death, mentions of car accident
ăâ word count: 11,233
ăâ pairings: chan x gender neutral reader / brief wonwoo x gender neutral reader
ăâ notes: hi guys ! itâs been a while since my last oneshot eEK, but i really hope you guys like this one :> it took me a while to write it and it ended up being as lone as a bible passage⊠idk why all my oneshots end up being so long but oh good gor </333 anyways⊠make sure to give chan lots of love <333
Premise: At her best friend's wedding, ERA CHOI meets KWON SOONYOUNGâa loud, dramatic lawyer who's her best friend's soon-to-be husband JEON WONWOO's friend and whoâs nothing like her type. She swears sheâd never fall for someone like him⊠but fate clearly had other plans.
Inspired by Hoshi's STAY and Kim Se-jeong's LOVE,MAYBE.
Genre: RomCom, Slice of life, Slow burn, Fluff, Enemies-to-friends-to-lover.
Previous
Next
Chapter Five
Goodbye in violet
The wedding had ended in laughter, twinkling lights, music still echoing down the hallways. The after-party still buzzed somewhere behind me as I slipped out the back entrance of the hotelâquiet, unnoticed, exactly how I wanted it.
No time to change. No goodbyes.
I was still wearing the violet saree, the pleats slightly undone, the earrings heavy now, my hair frizzing slightly from the rooftop breeze. But I didnât care. Not when my phone kept vibrating like a ticking bomb.
Boss: Era, I need you in Busan tomorrow morning. It's urgent. Our VVIP client's son. You're the only one I trust.
And that was that. I didnât even argue. Of course, Iâd go. Thatâs what I didâshowed up, fixed things, made dreams come true. My best friend's wedding was done. Her dream had been fulfilled. I did my part.
But I couldnât find the strength to walk back in and see everyone again. Not after what tonight felt like. Something strange had been sitting in my chest ever since the bouquet landed in my hands.
So I texted Ela.
Me:I have to go. Work emergency. I love you. Iâll miss you.
I wasnât supposed to leave like that. I wasnât supposed to slip away in silence, in a violet saree that still smelled faintly of jasmine and after-party perfume. I wasnât supposed to text Ela.
Ela: love you. Iâll miss you. Be happy, idiot.
And disappear before sunrise.
But when Jackson Wang calls at 2 a.m., you pick up. And when he says, âEra, I need you on the next flight. Itâs for that client. You know the one,â thereâs no room for hesitation.
One of the biggest weddings of the year. A potential game-changer for my career. The kind of event that could make my name shine brighter than the city skyline I just left behind. So I packed my things in fifteen minutes flat. Didnât even change. Just draped a coat over my violet saree, grabbed my laptop, and called a cab.
The lobby was dark when I passed through. Silent. The only sound was the soft hum of the receptionist tapping away at her keyboard.
No one stopped me. No one knew.
And that was for the best.
Meanwhile Back on the Rooftop
Soonyoung wandered around with a half-eaten skewer of tteokbokki, scanning the thinning crowd. It was nearly 4 a.m., most of the guests either passed out or gone back to their rooms. The fairy lights buzzed quietly overhead.
âHey,â he called, catching Joshua mid-yawn. âWhereâs Era?â Joshua shrugged. âThought she was with you. Werenât you sitting with her earlier?â
âShe vanished. Poof.â
He checked the pool deck. The railing. Even peeked into the hallway near the elevator. Nothing.
Ela came back from her room, her makeup a bit smudged, eyes still dreamy. âShe left,â she said, rubbing her eyes. âWhat?â Hoshi blinked. âWhen?â
âShe said she got called for an emergency project. Left me a text.â He frowned. âDidnât even say bye?â
âShe was wearing the same saree. Just threw on a coat and left.â
He didnât say anything. Just turned around and stared off at the dark sky. The city lights still glittered, but for the first time that night⊠he felt like the party had officially ended.
At the Airport
I sat at the gate, legs crossed, fingers flying over my laptop as I confirmed venues, florists, and photography teams for Jackson's new event. Across from me, a little girl kept staring at my saree, eyes wide with awe. I smiled softly and waved.
No time to rest. No time to think about bouquets or white suits or what it meant to leave without a goodbye.
This is who I am. A wedding planner. The best one he has. And I donât stay.
The wedding was over. The lights dimmed. The laughter had faded into memory. The scent of roses and food had long left the air.
Everyone returned to their lives, as they always do.
Jun flew back to his city with Alfa, hand in hand, faces glowing with that post-wedding glow. Joshua dived back into business classes, Jeonghan into his schedule, Vernon and Seungkwan back to their chaotic energy.
Mingyu⊠well, he went home. But home now meant Ela and Wonwooâs cozy apartment, where the kitchen always smelled like cinnamon rolls and love. He couldnât complain. Especially when he got to eat free food and third-wheel a perfect marriage.
And Ela? She never really let go. She FaceTimed Era dailyâshowing her what she made for lunch, telling her every petty complaint about Wonwooâs obsession with crime shows, asking for skincare tips.
But there was that one person who hadnât seen her face since that night.
And yetâHe still saw it.
Soonyoung Kwon leaned back in his leather office chair, glasses pushed up into his hair, paperwork piled on the side, and an open case file blinking on his laptop screen.
He was a lawyer, yes. A damn good one. Defense, mostly. His suits were clean, his hair was a mess, and he still couldnât believe people trusted him with courtrooms and legal battles. But he always won.
But he couldnât focus. Not since that day she left without goodbyes.
Because somewhere between âobjection sustainedâ and âweâll reconvene next Fridayâ, his mind wandered.
To a violet saree.
To a girl who always told him to stay out of her way.
To a voice that yelled, âIâm telling you, Kwon Soonyoungâstay out of my way!â
And he had. Until she left without saying goodbye.
At the Coffee Shop
Mingyu stirred his iced americano and smirked across the table. âYou okay, hyung? Youâve been staring into space for five minutes straight.â
Soonyoung blinked. âWhat?â
âYouâre doing it again,â Mingyu laughed. âThinking about her?â
âIâm not,â Soonyoung said too quickly.
âYou are. Donât lie. You havenât made a single sarcastic comment in fifteen minutes. Thatâs gotta be a record.â He sipped his coffee. âShe left. I didnât even get to say anything.â
âSay what?â
âI donât know.â He stared out the window. âSomething. Anything.â
At the Wang HQ â Busan
Era adjusted the earpiece tucked under her hair and paced through the event venue. Her heels clicked across the marble floor as she directed decorators, coordinated lighting, and fixed floral arrangements with the precision of a queen.
But when her phone buzzedâanother FaceTime from Elaâshe finally took a breath and stepped into the hallway.
âWhy does your husband keep stealing my best friend time?â she teased as the screen lit up with Ela's pouty face and Wonwooâs hand casually throwing grapes in his mouth behind her.
âYouâll survive,â Ela grinned. âAnyway, Mingyu said Hoshiâs been acting weird.â Era rolled her eyes. âThat man is weird.â
âYou sure thereâs nothing there?â
âIâm sure. Heâs annoying. He flirts with everyone. Heâs loud. Andââ She paused. ââHe stayed away just like I told him.â
But for some reason⊠her voice sounded softer when she said it. Just a little.
Premise: Premise: At her best friend's wedding, ERA CHOI meets KWON SOONYOUNGâa loud, dramatic lawyer who's her best friend's soon-to-be husband JEON WONWOO's friend and whoâs nothing like her type. She swears sheâd never fall for someone like him⊠but fate clearly had other plans.
Inspired by Hoshi's STAY and Kim Se-jeong's LOVE,MAYBE.
Genre: RomCom, Slice of life, Slow burn, Fluff, Enemies-to-friends-to-lover.
Previous
Next
Chapter Four
The Day of Love
The wedding morning bloomed with sunlight, soft and golden. Seoulâs spring sky was clearâlike even the heavens didnât want to miss this moment.
I stood at the far end of the grand hall, hands clasped in front of me, checking off the final list in my head. The flowers were perfect. The altar? Glowing. The music? Flowing. The guests were arriving in waves, filling the chairs I arranged with such care.
Ela was the happiest bride I had ever seen.
âDo I look okay?â she whispered, hands trembling slightly as I adjusted her veil. I smiled, squeezing her shoulders. âYou look like you walked out of a fairytale.â
Her parents entered the bridal suite thenâher mother already dabbing tears and her father trying (and failing) to stay composed. âSheâs still our little girl,â her dad murmured as he held her hand.
I stepped back, letting them have their moment, heart full. Ela, my best friend since I knew what friendship meant, was living her dream today.
Wonwoo stood under the flowered arch in a fitted cream suit, calm but eyes shimmering. His hands folded neatly in front of him, fingers tapping nervously. Beside him, Seungcheol clapped his back lightly. Joshua and Jeonghan gave him thumbs up. Jun was seated on the second row, fingers laced with Alfaâs, both glowing like they were living inside a movie. Mingyu adjusted his tie while whispering something to Vernon and Seungkwan that made them snort into their palms. Dokyeom waved at guests like he was the star of the show.
Hana, Jiyoon, and Dahee strutted into the ceremony fashionably late, gasping dramatically at the setup like it was for them. âGod, I need a wedding like this,â Hana sighed. âEven if I have to fake a relationship.â I rolled my eyes from the aisle, adjusting the final flower on the arch before walking to my seat.
And thenâ
Every head turned as the music swelled. The doors opened. Ela stepped out, radiant in lace and chiffon, her eyes locked on one person: Wonwoo.
His breath hitched, eyes softening instantly. Time slowed. Even I had to bite my lip not to cry. The vows were simple, personal. Beautiful.
âIâve loved you since we were nineteen,â Wonwoo whispered, âand Iâll love you until weâre ninety.â
She laughed, holding back tears. âYouâre my home. You always have been.â
The moment the officiant said, âI now pronounce you husband and wifeâ, the entire hall erupted in cheers.
During the reception, laughter filled the banquet hall. Minghao and Chan kept stealing the photobooth for selfies. Woozi was cornered into slow dancing by Dahee, who claimed âhe looked too lonely.â Vernon helped Ela's mother with the buffet and melted a few hearts in the process.
And then there was him. Kwon Soonyoung.
In a tailored white suit, hair slicked back just a little, smile wide and obnoxious as always. The moment I stepped inâlate, of course, after changingâheads turned.
My violet saree shimmered under the fairy lights, the border catching golden hues. Draped carefully, pleats flowing, blouse traditional but flattering, hair pinned elegantly. It was the first time Iâd worn a saree in front of any of themâespecially him.
Joshua did a double take. Even Jeonghan let out a low whistle.
Soonyoung choked on his drink.
âYou okay, Hoshi?â Mingyu asked, patting his back.
âPeach soda. Wrong pipe,â he coughed, glaring at the floor to avoid looking at me again.
Dahee, of course, noticed. âOh damn, he saw you and forgot how to breathe.â I ignored her and went to check on the cake.
He didnât talk to me the entire night. Neither did I. But I caught him watching once or twice. Okayâmaybe more than once.
The DJ called out, âTime for the bouquet toss!â
Ela stood on the platform, grinning with mischief. âAlright, girls! Ready?â All the single womenâincluding Hana, Dahee, Jiyoon, and Alfaâlined up.
I stood in the back. Far back. I had no intention of catching that cursed thing.
âOneâtwoâTHREE!â
The bouquet soared. It looped higher than expected, caught by the breeze⊠and then someone bumped into someone else, there was a bit of a push from Hana (as expected), andâThwack.
It landed squarely into my arms. Dead center. Right into my freaking chest. Everyone gasped. Then exploded in laughter.
âERA?!â Dahee shrieked, âHOW?!â
I stared down at the flowers in horror. âI swear I wasnât even tryingâ!â Ela cackled from the stage. âFATE, BABY!â
And across the room, Hoshi raised his glass at me with the smuggest little grin.
I clutched the bouquet tighter, glaring at him. âDonât. Even. Start.â He winked. I wanted to throw the bouquet at his head.
But a part of meâdeep, buried, annoyed to hellâmightâve smiled just a little
The After-Party
The reception faded into evening, and the after-party bloomed like chaos with music, lights, and way too many drinks.
The hotel rooftop was reserved, fairy lights strung overhead, the Seoul skyline glittering in the distance. A soft breeze rolled through as the dance floor came aliveâJun spinning Alfa in a loop, Seungkwan dramatically lip-syncing to a ballad while Vernon filmed him for blackmail purposes, and Minghao tried to explain wine pairings to a very uninterested Chan.
I slipped off my heels and leaned on the railing, sipping soda from a champagne glass just for the vibe.
Ela was already on the dance floor with Wonwoo, laughing breathlessly, his arms around her waist, her head thrown back in pure joy. I couldn't take my eyes off herâshe really was glowing.
âSheâs happy,â a voice said behind me. I didnât even have to look. âPlease donât sneak up on people, Kwon Soonyoung.â
He stood beside me anyway, sipping his drink. âI wasnât sneaking. Iâm just naturally quiet when Iâm not annoying you.â
âThatâs rare.â He chuckled. âBut itâs not impossible.â
I turned my head, eyeing his outfit again. The white suit, the silver chain, the way his shirt was a little undone now from dancingâit annoyed me how put together he looked despite everything. He was annoyingly handsome tonight. Which was still none of my concern.
âI saw you caught the bouquet,â he said casually, bumping my elbow with his. âDonât start.â
âI didnât say anything.â
âYou were thinking about it.â
âSo what if I was?â I narrowed my eyes. âYou want me to throw it off this rooftop? I will.â He laughedâreally laughed. âYouâre the only girl I know whoâd threaten bodily harm over flowers.â
âAnd youâre the only guy I know who makes breathing sound flirtatious.â
He choked on his drink again.
I walked away before he could recover.
Meanwhile on the Dance Floor
Hana dragged Joshua onto the dance floor, and he politely danced like someone who didn't know how to escape. Dahee was trying to get Woozi to sing karaoke, and Jiyoon kept asking Jeonghan to teach her how to âsmolder.â
Jun and Alfa were literally dancing like they were the last couple alive. Mingyu got caught in the middle of a dance battle between Seungkwan and Dino, much to his dismay.
The energy was crazy. Loud. Fun. Glowing. And yetâ
I sat on the edge of the pool deck with my soda, watching everyone in love or in drama or in both, and felt... weirdly peaceful.
Until he showed up again. âDo you not dance?â Hoshi asked, hands in his pockets.
âDo you not get the hint? And can you not follow me everywhere!" He grinned, dropping down beside me. âJust wanted to sit. Donât flatter yourself.â
I rolled my eyes. âThank God.â
We sat in silence for a while, watching Wonwoo spin Ela around as âLove, Maybeâ played softly from the speakers.
âSheâs gonna be fine,â Soonyoung said suddenly. I glanced at him. âEla,â he clarified. âSheâs not gonna forget you. People donât forget soulmates. Even if they get married.â I stared at the water, throat tighter than I liked. âYeah... maybe.â
âDefinitely,â he said, then added, âAlso, she said if she ever drifts away, you have permission to slap her with the bouquet.â
I huffed a laugh. Then we both went silent again. For a moment, the music and laughter felt far away. And for once... Hoshi didnât ruin it.
